Second reading of Health and Social Care Bill
1 February 2011
Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, introduced the second reading of the Health and Social Care Bill in the House of Commons on Monday 31 January.
The Bill passed with a vote and will now be considered in a Public Bill Committee. Watch and read the views expressed by MPs who took part in the debate. A list of those MPs that voted can be found at the end of the debate in Commons Hansard.
- Watch the debate: Second reading of Health and Social Care Bill
- Commons Hansard: Health and Social Care Bill, second reading
- Commons Hansard: Voting list of MPs
Have your say
The Bill has now been sent to a Public Bill Committee for scrutiny and there is a call for written evidence.
Do you have relevant expertise and experience or a special interest in the Health and Social Care Bill?
If so, you can submit your views in writing to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee which is going to consider this Bill.
Guidance for submitting written evidence
Deadline for submissions
The Committee is able to receive written evidence from Monday 31 January, when the Bill passes the Second Reading Stage; and will stop receiving written evidence at the end of the Committee stage on Thursday 31 March. The sooner you send in your submission, the more time the Committee will have to take it into consideration. The Public Bill Committee is expected to meet for the first time on Tuesday 8 February.
Summary of the Bill
The Bill proposes to create an independent NHS Board, promote patient choice, and to reduce NHS administration costs.
Key areas
Measures in the Bill would give consortia of General Practitioners responsibility for commissioning the majority of health services, and create an independent NHS Commissioning Board.
It would abolish Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) and transfer local health improvement functions from PCTs to local authorities. It would also give local authorities responsibilities for coordinating the commissioning of local NHS services, social care and health improvement.
The Bill would introduce measures to promote competition between providers of NHS-funded services and would provide for all remaining NHS trusts to become foundation trusts.
Other parts of the Bill deal with the functions of several ‘arm’s length bodies’, and the regulation of health and social care workers. There are also a number of consequential amendments and miscellaneous provisions.
Keep up to date with all the proceedings on the Health and Social Care Bill and find out how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
House of Commons Library analysis
The House of Commons Library regularly produce briefing papers which inform MPs about key issues. The Library has produced a Research Paper on the Health and Social Care Bill.
Health Select Committee Report
The Commons Health Select Committee recently published its report into the commissioning of health care in the NHS. The Government has responded to the report.
- Health Committee Report: Commissioning
- Government response to the Health Committee Report: Commissioning (PDF 299 KB)
Second reading
Second reading is the first opportunity for MPs to debate the main principles of the Bill. It usually takes place no sooner than two weekends after first reading.
What happens at second reading?
The Government minister, spokesperson or MP responsible for the Bill opens the second reading debate. The official Opposition spokesperson responds with their views on the Bill.
The debate continues with other Opposition parties and backbench MPs giving their opinions.
At the end of the debate, the Commons decides whether the Bill should be given its second reading by voting, meaning it can proceed to the next stage.
What happens after second reading?
The Bill proceeds to committee stage and will be considered in a Public Bill Committee. Each clause (part) and any amendments (proposals for change) to the Bill may be debated.