Withdrawal from the European Union (Article 50) Bill

Key Points

• Requires government to notify the European Council by 31 March 2017 of the UK's intention to withdraw from the EU.
• Notices the start of the exit process under Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union.
• Fixes a specific deadline for beginning negotiations, tying the government to a timetable.
• Currently at the 2nd Reading in the House of Commons, with further stages required for passage.

Progress

The bill is at the 2nd Reading in the Commons, so it is in the early stages of the legislative process. It would still need to pass through further stages in both Houses and receive Royal Assent to become law.