Childcare Bill: Commons second reading
25 November 2015
MPs are to debate the second reading of the Childcare Bill in the House of Commons on Wednesday 25 November 2015.
The debate will follow the conclusion of the Autumn Statement and Spending Review 2015 and today's Ten Minute Rule Motion on the Scotland Act 1998 (Amendment).
Watch the second reading debate of the Childcare Bill live on Parliament TV
Transcripts of proceedings in the House of Commons Chamber are available three hours after they happen in Today’s Commons Debates.
Related information
Summary of the Childcare Bill
A Bill to make provision about free childcare for young children of working parents and about the publication of information about childcare and related matters by local authorities in England.
Progress of the Bill
The Childcare Bill is a public bill introduced to Parliament by the Government on 26 October 2015. This is known as the first reading and there was no debate on the Bill at this stage.
Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers, on the Childcare Bill and find out how a bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
Related information
House of Commons Library analysis
The House of Commons Library produces briefing papers to inform MPs and their staff of key issues. The papers contain factual information and a range of opinions on each subject, and aim to be politically impartial.
The Library has published a briefing paper for second reading.
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 happens after second reading?
If the bill passes second reading, and the programme motion following second reading is agreed to, the Bill will go to a Public Bill Committee for consideration. The programme motion would also schedule the report and third reading stages to take place over one day.
Speaker's Certificates
Certain provisions of this Bill have been certified by the Speaker as relating exclusively to England so the 'English votes for English laws' procedure will apply to it.
Under the 'English votes for English laws' procedure, any provisions certified by the Speaker must be separately approved by MPs representing constituencies in England before the Bill can receive a Third Reading. This would take place on the floor of the House in a legislative grand committee following report stage.
"The Speaker has certified, for the purposes of Standing Order No. 83J, and on the basis of material put before him, that, in his opinion, Clauses 2, 4 and 6 of the Childcare Bill [Lords] (Bill 84) relate exclusively to England on matters within devolved legislative competence, as defined in Standing Order No. 83J."
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.