Hillsborough Law Set to Clear Commons Next Week

The House of Commons is expected to approve the Public Office (Accountability) Bill — commonly known as the Hillsborough Law — on 14 July 2026, in what would be a landmark moment for transparency in public life. The legislation, scheduled for its report stage and third reading during the week of 13 July, is set to pass before the summer recess, creating a legal duty of candour requiring public officials and authorities to be open and honest during investigations and inquiries.

The bill's progress follows years of campaigning by families affected by the 1989 Hillsborough disaster and their supporters. For UK employers and public-sector bodies, the law will impose a new legal standard: any public authority involved in a formal investigation or inquiry must proactively disclose relevant information and cannot conceal wrongdoing.

Intelligence Services Included Without Exemptions

A key focus of recent parliamentary debate has been the role of national security agencies. Government amendments confirmed this week ensure that intelligence services are covered by the duty of candour without any carve-outs or exemptions.

To balance transparency with national security, the bill includes specific safeguards. Sensitive information held by intelligence employees will be sent first to the head of the relevant organisation before being passed to investigators. Victims' Minister Catherine Atkinson confirmed the government would not allow any exemptions, meaning the duty applies across all public sectors. A government source described the inclusion of the intelligence services as a significant victory for transparency.

Campaigners Hail Legislative Milestone

The bill's advancement has been met with widespread approval from campaigners and relatives of those affected by the 1989 tragedy. Margaret Aspinall, whose son James died at Hillsborough, said she was extremely satisfied with the legislation's progress, describing the lack of exemptions for security services as a critical development.

Ian Byrne, MP for West Derby, called the law a true legacy for the 97 victims of the disaster. Andy Burnham noted that the proceedings scheduled for Tuesday would mark a special moment for the long-running campaign, while David Lammy expressed confidence the bill would clear its remaining Commons stages this week.

Next Steps in the Legislative Process

The bill is expected to be one of the final significant legislative acts pushed through by the outgoing Prime Minister before the parliamentary summer break. After clearing the Commons, the Public Office (Accountability) Bill will move to the House of Lords for further scrutiny. Members of the Hillsborough Law Now campaign have welcomed the news, reiterating that the bill must face no further exemptions or delays as it progresses toward becoming law.

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