Commons remaining stages: Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill
20 October 2014 (updated on 20 October 2014)
MPs concluded the debate on remaining stages of the of the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill in the House of Commons on Monday 20 October 2014.
No amendments were made to the Bill. The Bill passed third reading on question, without a vote, and will now move to the House of Lords for consideration.
- Watch Parliament TV: Remaining stages: Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill
- Read Commons Hansard: Remaining stages: Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Voluntary sector
Related information
Summary of the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill 2014-15
A Bill to make provision as to matters to which a court must have regard in determining a claim in negligence or breach of statutory duty.
The Coalition Agreement included a commitment to encourage volunteering and involvement in social action. The Government intends that the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill will help to fulfil this commitment by reassuring volunteers (and others) that the courts will consider the context of their actions in the event that they are sued for negligence or breach of statutory duty. The Bill is one of a number of initiatives being pursued by the Government to tackle the perception of a “compensation culture” which, among other things, may deter people from volunteering or getting involved in activities of benefit to the community.
Progress of the Bill
This Government Bill was presented to Parliament on 12 June 2014 and had its second reading debate on 21 July 2014.
Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers, on the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill and find out how a bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
- Follow Bills before Parliament: Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill
- About Parliament: Passage of a Bill
House of Commons Library analysis
The House of Commons Library produces briefing papers to inform MPs of key issues. The papers contain factual information and a range of opinions on each subject, and aim to be politically impartial.
- Library briefing paper: Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill
- Library briefing paper: Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill 2014-15: Progress of the Bill
What happens next?
If the report stage and third reading of the Bill are passed in the House of Commons today it will move to the House of Lords for consideration.
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 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.
Watching proceedings from the public gallery
UK residents and overseas visitors can watch proceedings in the House of Commons by visiting the public gallery.
This article was produced by the Commons Digital Outreach Team. Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber