Scotland (Independence Referendum) Bill

What the bill does

A Bill to amend the Scotland Act 1998 to transfer the power to legislate for a Scottish independence referendum to the Scottish Parliament; and for connected purposes.

Progress through Parliament

What 2nd reading means, and what happens next

Second reading is the first full debate on the principle of the bill. The House votes on whether it should proceed at all.

If it passes, the bill goes to committee stage, where it is examined line by line and amendments are considered.

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

Questions about the Scotland (Independence Referendum) Bill

What stage is the Scotland (Independence Referendum) Bill at?

The Scotland (Independence Referendum) Bill is currently at 2nd reading in the UK Parliament.

Has the Scotland (Independence Referendum) Bill become law?

Not yet. A bill becomes law only when it has passed both Houses and received Royal Assent. The Scotland (Independence Referendum) Bill is currently at 2nd reading.

What happens next to the Scotland (Independence Referendum) Bill?

If it passes, the bill goes to committee stage, where it is examined line by line and amendments are considered.

Who sponsored the Scotland (Independence Referendum) Bill?

The Scotland (Independence Referendum) Bill was sponsored by Graham Leadbitter.

When was the Scotland (Independence Referendum) Bill introduced?

It was introduced to Parliament on 22 June 2026, at first reading.

Other bills at 2nd reading

• Sovereign Grant Bill · John Healey
• Military Operations Bill · David Davis
• Lobular Breast Cancer Bill · John Milne
• Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill [HL] · Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
• Environmental Impact Assessment (Downstream Emissions) Bill · Harriet Cross
• Short-term Let Accommodation Bill · Rachael Maskell

See every bill before Parliament