The King's Speech 2026 bill to introduce the Hillsborough Law, creating a statutory duty of candour and stronger accountability expectations for public servants and public authorities.
Second Reading 16:13:00 Moved by Lord Lemos: That the Bill be now read a second time. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Lemos) (Lab): My Lords, I hope all noble Lords had a good break over the …
A Bill to Impose a duty on public authorities and public officials to act with candour, transparency and frankness; to make provision for the enforcement of that duty in their dealings with inquiries Originated in the Commons.
First Reading 11:50:00 The Bill was brought from the Commons, read a first time and ordered to be printed.
A Bill to Impose a duty on public authorities and public officials to act with candour, transparency and frankness; to make provision for the enforcement of that duty in their dealings with inquiries
A Bill to Impose a duty on public authorities and public officials to act with candour, transparency and frankness; to make provision for the enforcement of that duty in their dealings with inquiries
Consideration of Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani): In the circumstances following the late change to today’s business, Mr Speaker has selected amendments tabled after what would have been the usual deadline. …
Ordered, That the period on the expiry of which proceedings on the Public Office (Accountability) Bill shall lapse in pursuance of paragraph (13) of Standing Order No. 80A shall be extended by 136 days until 29 January 2027. —( Catherine …
Why linked: King's Speech 2026 Background Briefing Notes — listed in the foundational document block and names the Public Office (Accountability) Bill (MoJ contact) under the King's Speech legislative programme.
Read the briefing notes on the announcements made in the 2026 King’s Speech.
Why linked: The King's Speech 2026 and official briefing notes announce the Public Office (Accountability) Bill as part of the government's legislative programme.
The King's Speech 2026 bill to introduce the Hillsborough Law, creating a statutory duty of candour and stronger accountability expectations for public servants and public authorities.
10.4 pm The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Alex Davies-Jones): I beg to move, That if, at the conclusion of this Session of Parliament, proceedings on the Public Office (Accountability) Bill have not been completed, they shall be resumed …
Why linked: gov.uk landing page describing the Public Office (Accountability) Bill as the Hillsborough Law.
The government has introduced the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, known as the Hillsborough Law, into Parliament.
20:14:00 The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Alex Davies-Jones): With your permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement on the next steps for the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, also known as the Hillsborough law. As Members will …
Bill to be considered tomorrow.
A Bill to Impose a duty on public authorities and public officials to act with candour, transparency and frankness; to make provision for the enforcement of that duty in their dealings with inquiries
Second Reading 5.27 pm The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer): I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. Before I come to the Bill, I put on record in this House my own tribute to the …
A Bill to Impose a duty on public authorities and public officials to act with candour, transparency and frankness; to make provision for the enforcement of that duty in their dealings with inquiries
Why linked: Public Office (Accountability) Bill impact assessment on duty of candour - equalities impact assessment
Why linked: Public Office (Accountability) Bill impact assessment on duty of candour provisions - substantive policy analysis
Why linked: Impact Assessment for the duty of candour provisions of the Bill.
Why linked: Equalities Impact Assessment published with the Bill on the duty of candour measures.
Why linked: Official government factsheet explaining the duty of candour provisions — key policy communication document.
The Government is clear that what happened following the Hillsborough disaster must never happen again. This Bill represents a powerful new package of measures to address these failings.
A Bill to Impose a duty on public authorities and public officials to act with candour, transparency and frankness; to make provision for the enforcement of that duty in their dealings with inquiries
Current version of Public Office (Accountability) Bill with latest news, sponsors, and progress through Houses.
Why linked: DHSC consultation on regulating NHS managers including a professional duty of candour — adjacent operationalisation vehicle.
A consultation seeking your views on options for regulating NHS managers, and on the possibility of introducing a professional duty of candour for NHS managers.
Why linked: Matched expansion phrase: Coroners and Justice Act 2009
The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (Coroner Areas and Assistant Coroners) Transitional Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1625), which came into force on 25th July 2013, established that the former “coroners’ districts” - as constituted under the Coroners Act 1988 (c. 13) …
Why linked: Government consultation outcome on institutional accountability failures - potentially foundational policy document but metadata unclear
UK Goverment The actions of Civil Servants and Ministers uncovered within the report are extremely concerning and do not reflect the values we expect those who serve the public to uphold. The Government accepts that in light of the facts …
Why linked: Government consultation outcome on institutional accountability failures - potentially foundational policy document but metadata unclear
UK Goverment The actions of Civil Servants and Ministers uncovered within the report are extremely concerning and do not reflect the values we expect those who serve the public to uphold. The Government accepts that in light of the facts …
Why linked: Government consultation outcome on institutional accountability failures - potentially foundational policy document but metadata unclear
UK Goverment The actions of Civil Servants and Ministers uncovered within the report are extremely concerning and do not reflect the values we expect those who serve the public to uphold. The Government accepts that in light of the facts …
Why linked: UK Government NHS professional duty of candour consultation referenced as part of broader Hillsborough Law landscape.
UK Government consultation (November 2024 - February 2025) sought views on whether a professional duty of candour should apply to NHS leaders. Response being prepared considering broader manager regulation proposals.
Why linked: Northern Ireland Executive duty-of-candour consultation explicitly tracking Hillsborough Law developments.
The Northern Ireland Executive committed to proposing an organisational duty of candour, considering consultation findings and broader Hillsborough Law developments.
Why linked: Comparator: Scottish organisational duty of candour framework cited in Hillsborough Law debates.
Scottish Government The organisational duty of candour provisions of the Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016 and the Duty of Candour Procedure (Scotland) Regulations 2018 set out the procedure that organisations providing health services, care services and …
Why linked: Government response to JCHR Hillsborough Law report restating duty of candour commitment.
In its response, the Government restated its commitment to implement a 'Hillsborough law' including a duty of candour on public servants and authorities.
Why linked: DHSC consultation on the statutory duty of candour for health and social care providers in England — direct adjacent regime.
Call for evidence seeking views on the statutory duty of candour for health and social care providers in England.
Why linked: Filled the "Government response to Hillsborough families' decades of campaigning" gap via web research
Response to Bishop James Jones' independent report on the families' experiences following the Hillsborough disaster.
Why linked: Document referencing Hillsborough Independent Panel findings and duty of candour for public office - directly relevant to Bill scope
The Panel agreed with other independent inquiries, such as Bishop James Jones' report on the experiences of the Hillsborough families, about the need for a duty of candour for public services, including the police. The Government will address the points …
Why linked: Matched expansion phrase: Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000
Consultation of revised codes of practice under Parts 2 and 3 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.