This idea was created by the Scrutinise team as a policy development prompt. It represents a live policy debate with substantial public evidence. Any registered user can contribute to it, and ownership can be transferred to any organisation or individual who wishes to champion it.
Mandatory Pre-Legislative Scrutiny for All Government Bills
The Institute for Government has documented that bills subjected to pre-legislative scrutiny produce significantly better legislation with fewer amendments and less litigation. Fewer than 15% of government bills currently receive this scrutiny. This proposal makes it the default.
Summary
The Institute for Government has documented that bills subjected to pre-legislative scrutiny produce significantly better legislation with fewer amendments and less litigation. Fewer than 15% of government bills currently receive this scrutiny. This proposal makes it the default.
Challenge (summary)
Most UK legislation reaches the Commons without meaningful pre-parliamentary scrutiny. Bills are frequently amended significantly in committee, revised through ping-pong, and challenged in court — all of which suggests the initial drafting was inadequate.
Approach (summary)
A statutory requirement for all government bills above a defined complexity threshold to be published in draft and subjected to a minimum eight-week scrutiny period by a Joint Committee or relevant Select Committee, with a published government response before First Reading.
First step (summary)
Introduce a Legislative Standards Act requiring draft publication of all Category A bills (to be defined by the Leader of the House in consultation with the Liaison Committee), with mandatory government response to scrutiny findings before introduction.
Stage
DevelopIdea Type
Legislation
Government Area
Cabinet Office
Created
27 Mar 2026
Owner
Scrutinise Editorial