Government, Policies and the Public Services
Policy Development – The Stages of a bill
Before an idea becomes a bill, it begins as a policy. A policy is merely an idea on how to change or manage a
situation. The idea could come from the public, the media, the public services, politicians or subject experts. If
it is decided the policy is a good idea, it is sent for discussion in government meetings known as cabinet
meetings, parliamentary committees and subcommittees. A cabinet meeting is where the senior government
ministers discuss the creation of new policies and laws. This occurs weekly. A parliamentary committee or
subcommittee is a smaller, more specialised and focused group of civil servants and politicians who also meet
to discuss new policies and legislation. They have more time and knowledge than the cabinet, and therefore
have the power to make the policy into a Green Paper.
A Green Paper is a document about a proposed law which is given to parties who may have an interest to
gather their views and opinions. This may open up debate which could be in the form of public meetings,
specialist consultation meetings or open enquiries from outside governments. Sometimes the policy stops at
this stage due to the fact the majority make it clear they do not welcome the idea. However, on the flip side,
sometimes the majority decide it is a great idea and the Green Paper is made into a White Paper. A White
Paper is a more formal version of the Green Paper. It contains formal proposals on the new policy. This is the
draft of a bill.
The policy may now become a bill. There are three different kinds of bill – Public Bills, Private Bills, and Private
Members Bills. A Public Bill is a proposal for legislation which will affect the whole country. These are created
by the government in power. Private Bills are proposed by a local authority and normally only affect the group
of people who proposed it. Finally, a Private Members Bill is usually prepared by an MP who enters a ballot to
be guaranteed time to present the idea in parliament. The bill is then debated.
The bill must now go through two houses and royal assent before it can become law. Below are the seven
stages it must pass.
House of Commons
First Reading: Once a bill proposal is made, the House of Commons is notified. This is what is called the first
reading. The title of the bill is read out, and copies of the bill are made available. At this stage, there is usually
no debating.
Second Reading: This is the stage where the most debating takes place. The proposals contained within the bill
are debated thoroughly, and the house then decides if it is to be sent forwards for the next stage. If a clear
majority agree it should be sent forwards, the bill almost always reaches the committee stage. This stage
occurs two weekends after the first reading.
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Policy Development – The Stages of a bill
Before an idea becomes a bill, it begins as a policy. A policy is merely an idea on how to change or manage a
situation. The idea could come from the public, the media, the public services, politicians or subject experts. If
it is decided the policy is a good idea, it is sent for discussion in government meetings known as cabinet
meetings, parliamentary committees and subcommittees. A cabinet meeting is where the senior government
ministers discuss the creation of new policies and laws. This occurs weekly. A parliamentary committee or
subcommittee is a smaller, more specialised and focused group of civil servants and politicians who also meet
to discuss new policies and legislation. They have more time and knowledge than the cabinet, and therefore
have the power to make the policy into a Green Paper.
A Green Paper is a document about a proposed law which is given to parties who may have an interest to
gather their views and opinions. This may open up debate which could be in the form of public meetings,
specialist consultation meetings or open enquiries from outside governments. Sometimes the policy stops at
this stage due to the fact the majority make it clear they do not welcome the idea. However, on the flip side,
sometimes the majority decide it is a great idea and the Green Paper is made into a White Paper. A White
Paper is a more formal version of the Green Paper. It contains formal proposals on the new policy. This is the
draft of a bill.
The policy may now become a bill. There are three different kinds of bill – Public Bills, Private Bills, and Private
Members Bills. A Public Bill is a proposal for legislation which will affect the whole country. These are created
by the government in power. Private Bills are proposed by a local authority and normally only affect the group
of people who proposed it. Finally, a Private Members Bill is usually prepared by an MP who enters a ballot to
be guaranteed time to present the idea in parliament. The bill is then debated.
The bill must now go through two houses and royal assent before it can become law. Below are the seven
stages it must pass.
House of Commons
First Reading: Once a bill proposal is made, the House of Commons is notified. This is what is called the first
reading. The title of the bill is read out, and copies of the bill are made available. At this stage, there is usually
no debating.
Second Reading: This is the stage where the most debating takes place. The proposals contained within the bill
are debated thoroughly, and the house then decides if it is to be sent forwards for the next stage. If a clear
majority agree it should be sent forwards, the bill almost always reaches the committee stage. This stage
occurs two weekends after the first reading.
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