When might the law change now the Schools White Paper, 'Every child achieving and thriving', has been published?

Every new law is subject to scrutiny before coming into force, following a process.

At the start of the process, the government will publish a ‘bill’.

A bill is a proposed law which is introduced into Parliament. No legal change will take effect until the bill has been debated (which includes considering amendments), approved by each House of Parliament (the Commons and the Lords), and has received Royal Assent.

Only then does a bill become law, known as an ‘act’. 

Even once passed into law, not all acts take immediate effect. Sometimes they do not commence until a later period.

We may not see some elements of legislative change until 2030 if recent speculative comments are correct.

You can find out more about the legislative process online.