Carry-over Motion

A motion allowing a bill to continue into the next parliamentary session instead of falling.

Also used as: carry-over motions, carry over motion, carry over motions

Source / explainer: Read the UK Parliament bill process explainer

Last reviewed: 3 August 2026

A carry-over motion allows a bill to continue into the next parliamentary session rather than falling at the end of the current one. This is mainly relevant to public bills in the Commons. Without a carry-over motion, a bill that has not completed its passage before the session ends would usually have to start again from the beginning in the next session.

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