Bill Stage Vote - Project Open Gov

A parliamentary vote taken as part of a bill’s progress through one of its formal stages.

Category: Parliamentary procedure Votes and divisions

Also used as: bill stage vote, Bill stage votes, bill-stage vote, bill-stage votes, vote at a bill stage

Source / explainer: Read the UK Parliament bill process explainer

Last reviewed: 21 August 2026

A bill stage vote is a vote taken as part of a bill’s formal progress through Parliament. It may concern the principle of the bill, an amendment, a clause, a new clause, a schedule, or final approval at a particular stage. The stage and wording of the question show what the House was deciding.

Related terms

BillA proposed law that must pass through Parliament before it can become an Act.Committee StageThe stage where a bill is examined in detail and amendments can be considered line by line.Report StageThe stage after committee scrutiny when the whole House can consider and vote on further amendments.Second ReadingThe stage where Parliament debates the main principles and purpose of a bill.Third ReadingThe final stage in one House, where members debate the bill in its near-final form.Vote ResultThe recorded outcome of a parliamentary vote, showing whether the question was agreed or rejected.