National Citizen Service Bill: Commons stages

National Citizen Service Bill 2016-17 

Summary of the Bill

The Bill, in combination with a Royal Charter, would place the NCS on a permanent statutory footing. The Bill’s Explanatory Notes state that the Bill:

• Incorporates the new NCS Trust as a Charter body and creates a legislative mechanism to transfer the business of the Company to the new Trust. This creates a legislative framework for the NCS, with the aim of making it a national institution while preserving its independent ethos;
• Aims to secure that the administrative and funding arrangements for the NCS Trust are appropriate for the increased level of public funds the Trust will manage, with proper accountability to government and Parliament; and
• Aims to impose on the NCS Trust an appropriate level of government control for a body in receipt of public funds

The National Citizen Service (NCS) consists of courses for young people in England and Northern Ireland, mostly aged 16 and 17. The courses take place during school holidays and involve a mixture of activities - adventures, life skills and social action - to encourage young people to engage with their community and develop for the future. The NCS is currently administered by the NCS Trust, a community interest company.

Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers, on the National Citizen Service Bill and find out how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.

• Follow Bills before Parliament: National Citizen Service Bill
• About Parliament: Passage of a Bill

National Citizen Service Bill 2016-17: Commons stages

Royal Assent

The National Citizen Service Bill received Royal Assent on 27 April 2017, becoming an Act of Parliament (law).

Commons remaining stages (Report stage and Third reading)

MPs debated the Report Stage and Third Reading of the National Citizen Service Bill in the House of Commons on Wednesday 15 March.

At Report stage, MPs approved all amendments made in Public Bill Committee. MPs then approved Third Reading. The Bill then returned to the House of Lords for further consideration. The Lords agreed to the Commons amendments and the Bill received Royal Assent on 27 April 2017.

• Watch Parliament TV: remaining stages of the National Citizen Service Bill
• Read Commons Hansard: National Citizen Service Bill
• Read Bill documents, including amendment papers and selection of amendments
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Voluntary organisations

Committee Stage

Committee stage is where detailed examination of the Bill takes place. The Bill was considered by a Public Bill Committee. Most Committees are able to take evidence from experts and interest groups from outside Parliament. The National Citizen Service Bill Public Bill Committee gathered evidence relating to the Bill and reported to the House on 26 January 2017.

Find out more about the Public Bill Committee:

• National Citizen Service Bill: Public Bill Committee membership, proceedings and written evidence

Second Reading

MPs debated the Second Reading of the National Citizen Service Bill on Monday 16 January 2017. The Bill passed Second Reading without a division. At Second Reading stage MPs consider the main principles of the Bill.

• Watch Parliament TV: Second Reading of the National Citizen Service Bill
• Read Commons Hansard: Second Reading of the National Service Bill
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Voluntary organisations

First Reading

The Bill was presented to the House of Commons and given its First Reading on 14 December 2016. First Reading stage is formal and takes place without any debate.

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 the Second Reading.

• Read Library briefing paper: Commons Library Analysis of the National Citizen Service Bill [HL] (Bill 114 of 2016-17)

Watching proceedings from the public gallery

UK residents and overseas visitors can watch proceedings in the House of Commons by visiting the public gallery.

• How to attend a debate in the Chamber or in Westminster Hall

Follow @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.

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