End of the 2005-2010 Parliament
9 April 2010 (updated on 22 April 2010)
On Thursday 8 April, the prorogation announcement was made in the chamber of the House of Lords, bringing the 2009-10 session of Parliament to an end. The 2005-2010 Parliament is formally dissolved on Monday 12 April: from this date, Parliament ceases to exist until a new session is commenced with the State Opening on 25 May
Wash-up and Bills passed into law
On 7 and 8 April, Parliament went through a period known as "wash-up", which falls between the announcement of the election and dissolution of Parliament. During the wash-up period Bills progress swiftly through both Houses, with the Government relying on co-operation from the Opposition. Some Bills may be dropped entirely and others continue in a reduced form.
During wash-up, Parliament considered 18 Bills, all of which passed into law. During the prorogation announcement, 20 Bills in total received Royal Assent, wrapping up this Parliament's legislative activity as follows.
- Appropriation (No. 2) Bill
- Finance Bill
- Anti-Slavery Day Bill
- Equality Bill
- Northern Ireland Assembly Members Bill
- Crime and Security Bill
- Personal Care at Home Bill
- Mortgage Repossessions (Protection of Tenants etc.) Bill
- Sunbeds (Regulation) Bill
- Sustainable Communities Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill
- Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Bill
- Bribery Bill
- Digital Economy Bill
- Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill
- Children, Schools and Families Bill
- Energy Bill
- Financial Services Bill
- Flood and Water Management Bill
- Bournemouth Borough Council Bill
- Manchester City Council Bill
There were 13 Bills announced in The Queen's Speech at the State Opening on 18 November 2009. During the 2009-10 session, 30 Bills received Royal Assent and became Acts of Parliament.
Prorogation: end of the session
On Thursday 8 April, both Houses of Parliament were prorogued in advance of the general election on 6 May. Prorogation marks the end of the current session of Parliament and the announcement, on behalf of the Queen, was read in the chamber of the House of Lords in front of Members of both Houses.
During the prorogation announcement, the Queen's Speech highlighted major legislation and other measures taken by the Government during the past session.
- Lords Hansard: Royal Commission: Prorogation
- Lords Hansard: Prorogation: Her Majesty's Speech
- Prorogation: glossary explanation
- Video and audio: watch the prorogation announcement
Dissolution of Parliament
On Monday 12 April, the Parliament that began on Tuesday 17 May 2005 will end.
The new parliament and a new session will begin with the State Opening of Parliament on Tuesday 25 May.