Legislative Consent: Armed Forces Bill

The Armed Forces Bill (the Bill) was introduced in the House of Commons on 15 January 2026.

The long title to the Bill notes that it is a Bill “to continue the Armed Forces Act 2006; to amend that Act and other enactments relating to the armed forces; to make provision about the reserve forces; to make provision about visiting forces; to make provision about the Ministry of Defence Police; to make provision about the defence functions of the Oil and Pipelines Agency; to make provision about the protection of military remains; and for connected purposes.”

The Bill is subject to the legislative consent process under Standing Order 29. This is when the consent of the Welsh Parliament is sought by the UK Government to legislate on an issue which falls within the competence of the Senedd.

Legislative Consent Memorandum – January 2026

The Welsh Government laid a Legislative Consent Memorandum (PDF 221KB) on the Bill before the Senedd on 27 January 2026.

The Business Committee referred the LCM to the Equality and Social Justice Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee with a reporting deadline of 20 March 2026 (PDF 72KB).

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report (PDF 202KB) on 17 March 2026.

The Equality and Social Justice Committee laid its report (PDF 143KB) on 19 March 2026.

Correspondence

Correspondence from the Chair of the Equality and Social Justice Committee to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales regarding the Armed Forces Bill -  26 February 2026

Correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales to the Chair of the Equality and Social Justice Committee regarding the Armed Forces Bill -  9 March  2026