United Kingdom

Law-making

Data on parliament’s law-making role and activities

Legislative activity

Number of laws adopted by parliament, per year
48 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Notes For some parliaments, data can not be presented on an annual basis, for example because parliamentary sessions run from April to March of the following year. In such cases, the period to which the data corresponds is specified here.
Figures include primary legislation only (Acts of Parliament).
Total number of laws adopted by Parliament in the previous legislature
68 (2019)
See historical data for this field.
Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by parliament
14 (2019)
See historical data for this field.
Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by the government
54 (2019)
See historical data for this field.
Dates of the previous legislature
13.06.2017 to 05.11.2019
See historical data for this field.
Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislation For bicameral parliaments: Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislationNot applicable; The legislation cannot be adopted unless both chambers agree; The decision of the lower chamber will take effect after a certain deadline; The decision of the upper chamber will take effect after a certain deadline; Other (please specify) For bicameral parliaments: Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislation
Other (please specify)
Notes
If the two Houses do not agree on the text of the legislation the House of Commons can decide to apply the Parliament Acts under which the House of Commons can apply for Royal Assent for its text of the legislation without the agreement of the House of Lords.
For an explanation of the workings of Parliament Acts see: https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/SN00675
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
The Parliament Acts

Executive-legislative relations

Legislation adopted by parliament requires the assent of the Head of State In some countries, the Constitution foresees that legislation adopted by parliament must be signed into law by the Head of State. If so, the Head of State may, for example, have the power to veto the legislation, return it to parliament, or submit it to another body such as a constitutional court.
Yes
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Royal Assent Act 1967, however Royal Assent has not been refused since 1707.
Number of times the Head of State declined to give assent to legislation, per year
(2022)
See historical data for this field.
Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation: Not applicable; No further action is taken. The legislation is rejected; The legislation is returned to Parliament for re-examination; The legislation is referred to the Constitutional/Supreme Court;The legislation is put to a referendum; Other (please specify)
No further action is taken. The legislation is rejected
Not applicable. The Head of State cannot decline to give assent to legislation adopted by parliament
No
Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree: Not applicable; Parliament; Head of State; Constitutional/Supreme Court; Other (please specify)
Other (please specify)
Compare data of this field.
Notes
Royal Assent is required but in practice has not been refused since 1707.
Not applicable. There is no procedure to introduce emergency legislation.
Yes