Armed Forces Bill: stages, votes and documents
The Armed Forces Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 15 January 2026. Its latest stage in the Bills API is 3rd reading in the House of Lords. MPs divided on it 8 times between 2 June 2026 and 22 June 2026; the narrowest margin was 131 (New Clause 2).
Stages taken place
17
Commons divisions
8
Documents listed
16
Latest stage
3rd reading
What the bill is for
The long title reads:
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.
Sponsors
- John Healey (Labour, Commons), Ministry of Defence
- Lord Coaker (Labour, Lords), Ministry of Defence
Stages
| Stage | House | Sittings |
|---|---|---|
| 1st reading | Commons | 15 January 2026 |
| 2nd reading | Commons | 26 January 2026 |
| Programme motion | Commons | 26 January 2026 |
| Money resolution | Commons | 26 January 2026 |
| Carry-over motion | Commons | 26 January 2026 |
| Committal (to a Select Committee) | Commons | 26 January 2026 |
| Select Committee stage | Commons | 4 March 2026, 10 March 2026, 17 March 2026, 18 March 2026, 24 March 2026, 26 March 2026, 14 April 2026, 16 April 2026 |
| Bill reintroduced | Commons | 14 May 2026 |
| Programme motion | Commons | 2 June 2026 |
| Committee of the whole House | Commons | 2 June 2026 |
| Report stage | Commons | 22 June 2026 |
| 3rd reading | Commons | 22 June 2026 |
| 1st reading | Lords | 23 June 2026 |
| 2nd reading | Lords | 6 July 2026 |
| Committee stage | Lords | 2 September 2026, 8 September 2026 |
| Report stage | Lords | 20 October 2026 |
| 3rd reading | Lords | 27 October 2026 |
Commons divisions on this bill
| Date | Division | Ayes | Noes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 June 2026 | Armed Forces Bill Committee: New Clause 2 | 171 | 302 |
| 2 June 2026 | Armed Forces Bill Committee: New Clause 5 | 170 | 301 |
| 2 June 2026 | Armed Forces Bill Committee: New Clause 6 | 99 | 371 |
| 2 June 2026 | Armed Forces Bill Committee: New Clause 13 | 80 | 298 |
| 22 June 2026 | Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4 | 164 | 311 |
| 22 June 2026 | Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11 | 104 | 391 |
| 22 June 2026 | Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22 | 74 | 323 |
| 22 June 2026 | Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11 | 171 | 322 |
Documents
Bill
- Bill 367 2024-26 (as introduced) 15 January 2026
- Bill 003 2026-27 (as reintroduced) 14 May 2026
- Bill 003 2026-27 (as reintroduced) - html version 14 May 2026
- Bill 0011 2026-27 (as amended in Committee) – pdf 2 June 2026
- Bill 0011 2026-27 (introduced) - html download 2 June 2026
- 5902036.pdf · 5902036.html · 5902036.xml 23 June 2026
- 5902050.pdf · 5902050.html · 5902050.xml 8 September 2026
Explanatory Notes
- Bill 367 EN 2024-26 15 January 2026
- Bill 003 EN 2026-27 14 May 2026
- HL Bill 36 Explanatory Notes · 5902036en.pdf 23 June 2026
Delegated Powers Memorandum
- Memorandum from the Ministry of Defence 15 January 2026
- Memorandum from the Ministry of Defence (updated) 14 May 2026
- ArmedForcesBillDPM.pdf 24 June 2026
- ArmedForcesBillSuppDPM.pdf 14 July 2026
Briefing papers
- Armed Forces Bill 2024-26 21 January 2026
- Armed Forces Bill: HL Bill 36 of 2026–27 1 July 2026
Official record
Sources
| Record | Read | SHA-256 |
|---|---|---|
| Bills API: bill | 28 October 2026 | b9ef1e07e9c8c72a… |
| Bills API: stages | 28 October 2026 | f8161be69455488b… |
| Bills API: publications | 15 October 2026 | 349fc6e8a1b7def3… |