Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill concludes parliamentary stages

The Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill will amend the existing Investigatory Powers Act 2016 to ensure the UK's investigatory framework is equipped to deal with current and emerging threats. 

Consideration of amendments

The bill was considered by the House of Lords between 8 November 2023 and 30 January 2024 before passing to the House of Commons in a process known as parliamentary 'ping pong'.  

On Tuesday 23 April, members of the Lords considered and agreed to changes (PDF) made to the bill in the Commons on issues relating to the ability of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal to consider data breaches.

Catch up

• Watch on Parliament TV.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Explore further information

Find out more in the House of Lords Library Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill briefing.

Next steps

Following agreement by both Houses on the text of the bill it received Royal Assent on Thursday 25 April. The bill is now an Act of Parliament (law).

What's happened so far?

Third reading

Third reading, a chance for members to make sure the eventual law is effective, workable and without loopholes, took place on Tuesday 31 January 2024.

Committee stage

Line-by-line examination of the bill took place during committee stage on Monday 11 and Wednesday 13 December 2024.

Second reading

Second reading, a full debate on the key principles of the bill, took place on Monday 20 November.

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