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Second reading of Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, have your say

12 June 2012

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Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable, introduced the second reading of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill in the House of Commons on Monday 11 June.

The Bill passed after an Opposition amendment had been defeated on a division (Ayes 216; Noes 301). The Bill will now be considered by a Public Bill Committee. Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Chuka Umunna, responded on behalf of the Opposition.

Watch and read the second reading debate and the views expressed by MPs on Parliament TV and in Commons Hansard.

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 Government's Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 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 Tuesday 12 June, when the Bill passes the Second Reading Stage; and will stop receiving written evidence at the end of the Committee stage on Tuesday 17 July. 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 19 June.

Summary of the Bill

The main areas of reform include changes to competition policy and law, employment law and reducing regulation. The Bill also makes smaller changes to a number of policy areas, such as procedures concerning the approval of company directors’ remuneration; copyright law and aspects of planning law as it affects heritage properties. The Bill also includes provisions about the Green Investment Bank. 

Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation on the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill and find out how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament

House of Commons Library analysis

The House of Commons Library produce briefing papers to inform MPs of key issues. The Library published a briefing paper for second reading.

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.