MPs debate Jobseekers (Back to Work Schemes) Bill

MPs debated the Jobseekers (Back to Work Schemes) Bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday 19 March 2013. The Bill was introduced under the Fast-Track procedure and had all of its Commons stages debated in one day.

Summary of the Jobseekers (Back to Work Schemes) Bill

The Bill seeks to make provision about the effect of certain provisions relating to a scheme designed to assist persons to obtain employment. It also seeks to make provision about notices relating to participation in such a scheme.

Progress of the Jobseekers (Back to Work Schemes) Bill

The Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 14 March 2013.

The Bill went through all its Commons stages under the Fast-Track procedure (allocation of time motion) on 19 March 2013.

It will be introduced into the House of Lords for consideration on a date to be announced.

Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers, on the Jobseekers (Back to Work Schemes) 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 notes which inform MPs about key issues. The papers contain factual information and a range of opinions on each subject, and aim to be politically impartial.

The Library has produced the following briefing paper ahead of the Bill's second reading:

Commons Library briefing paper: Jobseekers (Back to Work Schemes) Bill 2012-13

What happens at second reading?

At second reading the House debates the whole principle of the bill. It usually takes place no sooner than two weekends after first reading.

The Member in charge or the Minister moves the motion ‘that the bill be now read a second time’. MPs then debate the bill.

At the end of the debate the Speaker determines whether there are any objections to the motion being debated and asks for the Ayes and Noes.

Members voice their opinion, and if no objections are made, the bill passes second reading without a vote. If the Speaker believes Members have voiced disagreement a division is called and a vote taken.

What is the Committee stage of a bill?

Committee stage is where detailed examination of the Bill takes place. It usually starts within a couple of weeks of a Bill’s second reading, although this is not guaranteed.

Most Bills are dealt with in a Public Bill Committee.

A minority of Bills are dealt with by a Committee of the Whole House, which takes place on the floor of the House of Commons, with every MP able to take part.

What is the report stage of a bill?

The report stage gives MPs an opportunity, on the floor of the House, to consider any further amendments (proposals for change) to a Bill which has been examined in a public bill committee or on the floor of the House. There is no set time period between the end of committee stage and the start of the report stage.

What happens at report stage?

All MPs may speak and vote. For lengthy or complex Bills, the debates may be spread over several days. All MPs can suggest amendments to the Bill or new clauses (parts) that they think should be added.

What happens after report stage?

Report stage is usually followed immediately by debate on the Bill's third reading.

What happens at third reading?

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.

Amendments (proposals for change) cannot be made to a BIll at a third reading in the Commons. At the end of the debate, the House decides (votes on) whether to approve the third reading of the Bill.

What happens after third reading?

If the Bill started in the Commons it goes to the House of Lords for its first reading.

If the Bill started in the Lords it returns to the House of Lords for consideration of any amendments the Commons has made.