Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021

Key Points

• - The Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021 is now law (Royal Assent) and forms part of defence policy.
• - It applies to UK service personnel and veterans involved in overseas operations, setting out rules for investigations and prosecutions.
• - The bill originated in the House of Commons and went through amendments in the Lords, which the Commons voted to disagree with on several occasions.
• - In key Commons votes, the government-backed passages saw large majorities (e.g., Second Reading 331-77; Third Reading 345-260).
• - The voting record shows mixed cross-party positions, with Conservative MPs generally backing the bill and Labour and other parties often opposing or differing on Lords amendments.

Progress

The bill has completed its passage through Parliament and received Royal Assent, becoming law. It is now in force as part of UK statute law.

Voting

In the House of Commons, the bill received broad support at major stages (Second Reading 331-77, Third Reading 345-260). Across nine listed votes, MPs voted to disagree with Lords amendments in several cases (roughly 357-268 to 365-258), while Labour and other opposition parties were largely opposed or divided on those amendments, reflecting mixed cross‑party positions.