A Bill to provide for the functions exercised by the Northern Ireland Department of Health to be exercised by the Secretary of State in the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive
House of Lords
5 May 2021
The bill would let the UK Government’s Secretary of State take on the functions of the Northern Ireland Department of Health if there is no Northern Ireland Executive, to ensure health services continue to run. It describes what decisions and actions the Secretary of State can take while the Executive is absent, with the aim of keeping health policy and services stable during any political deadlock. The measure is focused on Northern Ireland’s health system and would apply only while there is no NI Executive.
The bill is at the second reading in the Lords. If it progresses, it would move on to further stages in the Lords and then to the House of Commons for consideration.
Generated 21 February 2026
First reading took place on 27 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.
