Bill Stage - Project Open Gov

One of the formal steps a bill must pass through as it moves through Parliament.

Also used as: bill stage, bill stages, stages of a bill, legislative stage, legislative stages

Source / explainer: Read the UK Parliament bill process explainer

Last reviewed: 21 August 2026

A bill stage is one of the formal steps a bill passes through as it moves through Parliament. Stages include First Reading, Second Reading, Committee Stage, Report Stage and Third Reading, with further stages in the other House where relevant. The stage helps explain what kind of decision a vote is about.

Related terms

BillA proposed law that must pass through Parliament before it can become an Act.Bill Stage VoteA parliamentary vote taken as part of a bill’s progress through one of its formal stages.Committee StageThe stage where a bill is examined in detail and amendments can be considered line by line.First ReadingThe formal introduction of a bill in a House, normally without debate on its substance.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.