Regional Balance Bill

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Bill Number: Bill 35/22-27

Bill Type: Non-Executive (What are the different Bill Types?)

Bill Sponsor: Sinéad McLaughlin MLA

A Bill to make provision for a statutory framework to improve regional balance in Northern Ireland; to impose a duty on the Executive to develop, adopt, maintain and implement a framework setting out how disparities in regional economic performance and living standards are to be addressed across government; to confer functions on the Department for the Economy in relation to the preparation of the framework, its reporting to the Assembly and providing guidance and research; and for connected purposes.

Follow the Bill’s journey below from Introduction. Each iteration of the Bill will be published along with the accompanying Explanatory and Financial Memorandum.

The legislative stages of bills that go through the Northern Ireland Assembly begins with the First Stage, and then moves to Second Stage, Committee Stage, Further Consideration Stage and Final Stage, before requiring Royal Assent to become an Act.

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First Stage

Status

Completed 8 June 2026.

Associated information

Bill as introduced (HTM)

Bill as introduced (PDF, 12 pages, 358KB)

Explanatory and Financial Memorandum (HTM)

Explanatory and Financial Memorandum (PDF, 12 pages, 419KB) 

Official Report of the First Stage - 8 June 2026.


 

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Second Stage

Status

To be scheduled.

Associated information

Associated information will be published here when available.


 

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Committee Stage

Status

To be scheduled on completion of the Second Stage.

Associated information

Associated information will be published here when available.


 

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Consideration Stage

Status

To be scheduled on completion of the Committee Stage.

Associated information

Associated information will be published here when available.


 

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Further Consideration Stage

Status

To be scheduled on completion of the Consideration Stage.

Associated information

Associated information will be published here when available.


 

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Final Stage

Status

To be scheduled on completion of the Further Consideration Stage.

Associated information

Associated information will be published here when available.


 

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Royal Assent

Status

Royal Assent will be confirmed when the Bill has completed the legislative process.

Associated information

Associated information will be published here when available.