Public Office (Accountability) Bill

What the bill does

A Bill to Impose a duty on public authorities and public officials to act with candour, transparency and frankness; to make provision for the enforcement of that duty in their dealings with inquiries and investigations; to require public authorities to promote and take steps to maintain ethical conduct within all parts of the authority; to create an offence in relation to public authorities and public officials who mislead the public; to create further offences in relation to the misconduct of persons who hold public office and to abolish the common law offence of misconduct in public office; to make provision enabling persons to participate at inquiries and investigations where the conduct of public authorities may be in issue; and for connected purposes.

Progress through Parliament

What Committee stage means, and what happens next

At committee stage the bill is examined clause by clause and amendments are proposed, debated and voted on. This is where most changes are made.

Report stage follows, giving the whole House a chance to consider the amended bill and propose further changes.

Read the full guide to this stage: What happens at committee stage of a bill

Questions about the Public Office (Accountability) Bill

What stage is the Public Office (Accountability) Bill at?

The Public Office (Accountability) Bill is currently at Committee stage in the UK Parliament.

Has the Public Office (Accountability) Bill become law?

Not yet. A bill becomes law only when it has passed both Houses and received Royal Assent. The Public Office (Accountability) Bill is currently at Committee stage.

What happens next to the Public Office (Accountability) Bill?

Report stage follows, giving the whole House a chance to consider the amended bill and propose further changes.

Who sponsored the Public Office (Accountability) Bill?

The Public Office (Accountability) Bill was sponsored by Mr David Lammy.

When was the Public Office (Accountability) Bill introduced?

It was introduced to Parliament on 16 September 2025, at first reading.

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