A Bill to make provision for the abolition within construction contracts of the practice of allowing the paying party to withhold, as security against the risk of contractual non-performance by the other party, sums which would otherwise be due; and for connected purposes
House of Lords
28 April 2022
This bill would end the practice of retention in construction contracts, where money is withheld by a paying party to guard against the other party failing to meet obligations. It proposes abolishing these retention sums and making related changes to how payments are secured in construction projects.
The bill is at the very early stage of passage, having completed its first reading in the Lords. It will now move to subsequent stages where it will be debated and refined.
Generated 21 February 2026
First reading took place on 25 October. 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 2021-2022 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
