Infants, Parents and Carers Bill 2026-27
make provision about support for infants, parents and carers of infants, and prospective parents and carers, including provision relating to assessment of needs and to reporting requirements relating to such support; and for connected purposes.
Private Members' Bill (Ballot Bill)
The Infants, Parents and Carers Bill is a Ballot Bill tabled by Desmond Swayne.
Is this Bill currently before Parliament?Yes. This Bill was introduced on 17 June 2026 and is currently before Parliament.
Whose idea is this Bill?As a Private Members' Bill, this Bill represents the individual initiative of an MP (Desmond Swayne), not the Government.
What type of Bill is this?20 Ballot Bills places are awarded by lottery to backbench MP's at the start of each Session. These Bills receive precedence for debate in the Commons and a handful will succeed in becoming enacted into law.
The higher chance of success means MPs who win a ballot slot are frequently lobbied by groups wishing to have legislation tabled on their behalf, but the choice of bill ultimately remains with the MP.
So is this going to become a law?Historically, between 3 and 13 of the 20 Ballot Bills have succeeded in becoming enacted into law. Therefore, provided this bill is sufficiently high in the Ballot and the Government has no means to object to the bill, it has the greatest chance of PMBs to be enacted into law.
How can I find out exactly what this Bill does?The most straightforward information is contained in the initial Explanatory Notes for the Bill.
Would you like to know more?See these Glossary articles for more information: Ballot Bill, Private Members Bill, Process of a Bill
Official Bill Page Initial Explanatory Notes Initial Briefing papers Ministerial Extracts from Debates All Bill Debates
Next Event: Wednesday 14th October 2026 - Committee stage
Last Event: Friday 4th September 2026 - 2nd reading (Commons)
1 Amendment have been proposed for this Bill
View AmendmentsBill Progession through Parliament
Latest Key documents
Timeline of Bill Documents and Stages
1
Jess Asato (Lab)Tabled: 12 Oct 2026
Notices of Amendments as at 12 October 2026
This amendment was No Decision
Clause 2, page 2, line 4, at end insert—
“(1A) An assessment under subsection (1) must consider—
(a) the well-being of infants, parents, carers and prospective parents and carers, and
(b) inequalities between infants, parents, carers and prospective parents and carers.
(1B) In this Act “well-being” means—
(a) physical, mental and emotional health, and
(b) in respect of infants, protection from harm and neglect.”