Government policy on the Hillsborough Law

Early day motion 1637, tabled 9 July 2025 by Ian Byrne (Labour). Signed by 83 members.

That this House notes the Prime Minister’s promise to introduce the Hillsborough Law to Parliament before the 36th anniversary of the disaster on 15 April 2025; deeply regrets that this commitment was not met and that the Government has yet to table the legislation; expresses grave concern at reports that the Government intends to bring forward a weakened alternative bill, lacking the core principles and protections of the Hillsborough Law; recognises that the Hillsborough Law is a rigorously drafted piece of legislation, written by legal experts in collaboration with families affected by state cover-ups, including Hillsborough, and first introduced to Parliament by Andy Burnham in 2017; highlights that the Hillsborough Law includes a statutory duty of candour on public authorities and officials, backed by criminal sanctions, and ensures bereaved families are granted parity of legal representation; pays tribute to the unwavering courage and determination of the Hillsborough families and survivors, who for decades have fought for truth and justice; believes the Hillsborough Law would be a landmark piece of legislation, tackling the culture of cover-ups evident in scandals such as Hillsborough, the infected blood scandal, the Horizon Post Office scandal and the nuclear test veteran scandal; welcomes the reintroduction of the Hillsborough Law to Parliament, formally titled the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill, which had its First Reading on 2 July 2025; and calls on the Government to honour its word and the memory of the 97 lives lost at Hillsborough by enacting the Hillsborough Law in full, without delay.

Signatures by party: Labour 40, Liberal Democrat 23, Independent 6, Green 4, Plaid Cymru 4, DUP 2, Alliance 1, Conservative 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, Scottish National Party 1.