A Bill to amend the length of time for which an individual may have a criminal record under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
House of Lords
5 May 2021
This Bill would change how long a person’s criminal record can exist under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. It sets out new timeframes for when convictions may become spent or no longer need to be disclosed in most situations. The aim is to modernise and simplify how spent and unspent convictions are treated.
The bill is at the second reading stage in the House of Lords. If it progresses, it will go through subsequent Lords stages and, if approved, move to the House of Commons for consideration.
Generated 21 February 2026
First reading took place on 13 January. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the Bill's journey through the Lords.
Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the Bill - is yet to be scheduled.
The 2019-2021 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.