2015-16 parliamentary session ends
12 May 2016 (updated on 12 May 2016)
The 2015-16 parliamentary session was brought to a close with a 'prorogation' announcement on Thursday 12 May 2016.
What is prorogation?
Prorogation marks the formal end of a parliamentary session. It usually takes the form of an announcement, read on behalf of the Queen, in the House of Lords chamber.
Once it has been read in the Lords, the same announcement is repeated by the Speaker in the House of Commons.
About the prorogation announcement
The prorogation announcement sets out the major bills that have been passed during the session.
Bills receiving Royal Assent
The following government bills became Acts of Parliament on Thursday 12 May 2016:
- Armed Forces Act
- Criminal Cases Review Commission (Information) Act
- Driving Instructors (Registration) Act
- Energy Act
- House of Commons Members’ Fund Act
- Housing and Planning Act
- Immigration Act
State Opening of Parliament
The next meeting of the House of Lords is the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday 18 May 2016. This is the start of the 2016-17 parliamentary session, and is the main ceremonial event for Parliament. The Queen’s Speech at the State Opening is written by the government and sets out the laws they plan to introduce in the coming session.
Further information
- Attend debates in the new session
- Follow @UKHouseofLords on Twitter
- Like House of Lords on Facebook
- Watch House of Lords videos on YouTube
- View House of Lords images on Flickr
- Connect with members on the Lords Digital Chamber
Image credit: iStock