Remaining stages of Welfare Reform Bill
18 March 2009 (updated on 22 April 2010)
House of Commons debates report stage and third reading of the Welfare Reform Bill, a Bill to reform the UK's welfare and benefits systems.
- Commons Hansard: Remaining stages of Welfare Reform Bill
- Bills before Parliament: Welfare Reform Bill
- About Parliament: Report stage
- About Parliament: Third reading
The report stage of a Bill's passage through Parliament is an opportunity to consider further amendments to a Bill which has been examined in committee. All MPs may speak and vote - for lengthy or complex Bills the debate may be spread over several days. MPs can suggest amendments to the Bill or new clauses they think should be added.
Third reading is the final review of the contents of a Bill. The debate on the Bill is usually short, and limited to what is actually in the Bill, rather than, as at second reading, what might have been included. At the end of the debate, the House decides whether to approve the third reading of the Bill.