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Bills · In the Lords

Armed forces rules

The other House is now going through the same steps. If it makes changes, both Houses must agree the final wording.

In plain words

This bill would write the Armed Forces Covenant more fully into law, create a Defence Housing Service, and change the rules on calling up reserve forces.

Summary drafted by AI, checked by Jonathan on 4 Oct 2026. Source: Parliament Library briefing.

Official title: Armed Forces Bill

  1. 1Introduced1st reading
  2. 2Main debate2nd reading
  3. 3Detailed checksCommittee
  4. 4ChangesReport stage
  5. 5Final vote3rd reading
  6. 6Other houseLords or Commons
  7. 7Becomes lawRoyal Assent

Next sitting: 20 Oct 2026 (report stage in the Lords).

Put forward by John Healey, Lord Coaker.

Votes so far

DateVoteCountResult
22 Jun 2026Armed forces rules: a proposed change171 for, 322 againstRejected
22 Jun 2026Armed forces rules: a proposed change74 for, 323 againstRejected
22 Jun 2026Armed forces rules: a proposed change104 for, 391 againstRejected
22 Jun 2026Armed forces rules: a proposed change164 for, 311 againstRejected
2 Jun 2026Armed forces rules: a proposed change80 for, 298 againstRejected
2 Jun 2026Armed forces rules: a proposed change99 for, 371 againstRejected
2 Jun 2026Armed forces rules: a proposed change170 for, 301 againstRejected
2 Jun 2026Armed forces rules: a proposed change171 for, 302 againstRejected
Full timeline
DateStageHouse
15 Jan 20261st readingCommons
26 Jan 20262nd readingCommons
26 Jan 2026Programme motionCommons
26 Jan 2026Money resolutionCommons
26 Jan 2026Carry-over motionCommons
26 Jan 2026Committal (to a Select Committee)Commons
4 Mar 2026, 10 Mar 2026, 17 Mar 2026Select Committee stageCommons
14 May 2026Bill reintroducedCommons
2 Jun 2026Programme motionCommons
2 Jun 2026Committee of the whole HouseCommons
22 Jun 2026Report stageCommons
22 Jun 20263rd readingCommons
23 Jun 20261st readingLords
6 Jul 20262nd readingLords
2 Sep 2026, 8 Sep 2026Committee stageLords
20 Oct 2026Report stageLords

In the bill’s own words: A Bill to continue the Armed Forces Act 2006; to amend that Act and other enactments relating to the armed forces; to make provision about the reserve forces; to make provision about visiting forces; to make provision about the Ministry of Defence Police; to make provision about the defence functions of the Oil and Pipelines Agency; to make provision about the protection of military remains; and for connected purposes.

Official page on Parliament’s site

Source: Parliament Bills API · Commons votes from the Commons Votes API.