Prorogation is the mechanism by which parliamentary sessions are ended. This House of Lords Library briefing sets out the start and end dates of each parliamentary session since 1900, together with the number of calendar days between the end of the previous session and the start of the new one.
This House of Lords Library briefing provides a list of movers and seconders of the humble address to the sovereign, following the sovereign’s speech at the State Opening of Parliament. The list provides information from 1979 to 2026.
Between 2002 and 2024, by-elections were held to replace excepted hereditary peers who left the House of Lords. In July 2024, the House agreed to pause by-elections following the introduction of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill. This bill was passed in 2026, ending the need for by-elections. This briefing provides a list of by-election results, including information on turnout and the number of candidates.
In Focus
The right for hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords has come to an end. This briefing lists the last hereditary peers sitting in the House of Lords when the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act passed into law in March 2026, together with their length of service as a hereditary member. It also notes returns to the House as life peers.
Data dashboard
This page provides interactive data on the creation of life peerages in the House of Lords.
Research Briefing
This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about the constitution.
In Focus
This briefing summarises changes made to the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026 as it went through Parliament. The House of Lords made amendments about the exclusion of hereditary peers and the abolition of by-elections, unsalaried ministers, the rights of life peers to sit in the Lords, and resignation from the Lords on behalf of a peer who lacks capacity. Only amendments on the latter subject were accepted by the House of Commons. The House of Lords did not insist on its other amendments.
In Focus
The motion “that this bill do now pass” is moved immediately after a bill’s final stage in the House of Lords (known as third reading). It is amendable and so provides an opportunity for the House to oppose, delay or record a view on a measure if there is enough support. This briefing provides examples of amendments to the motion and what the outcome was each time.
Research Briefing
The Ministerial Salaries (Amendment) Bill is a government bill that would increase the total number of ministerial salaries that could be paid from 109 to 120. It completed its Commons stages on 17 March 2026. No amendments were tabled. It is due to have its second reading and remaining stages in the House of Lords on 14 April 2026. It has been certified as a money bill.
In Focus
Guidance given to members discourages them from reading their speeches. In 1936, the House resolved that the reading of speeches was both ‘alien’ to its customs and ‘injurious’ to debate. This briefing revisits this debate to find arguments both for and against members reading their speeches, discussion about whether it was a recent development and suggestions there were occasions where it was appropriate to do so.
Data dashboard
This page provides interactive data on the current membership of the House of Lords.
In Focus
As the number of names on the speakers’ list for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill rose, hitting over 200, there were calls for more than the usual one day of second reading debate. The House held two days of second reading on 12 and 19 September 2025. This briefing considers the precedent for this.
In Focus
In 2005, the then Labour government proposed the introduction of a national identity card scheme and register. Having passed the House of Commons, the government’s Identity Cards Bill reached the House of Lords, where it received a mixed response at its second reading. Speakers from across the House debated the principle and practicability of identity cards. Some members raised specific concerns, foreshadowing debates held later at committee and report stages. This briefing looks back at the bill’s second reading and summarises the key points made.
In Focus
The Lords Library has drawn together lists of members who have held selected positions in public life. This non-exhaustive collection provides an introduction to the diversity of experience in the House of Lords, including political careers in central, local, devolved and international settings; senior positions in defence, public service, policing and law; and leadership in science, education, culture and sport.
In Focus
The lord speaker chairs the business of the House of Lords, along with deputies, and has other procedural, ceremonial and ambassadorial roles. As a result of the resignation of the current lord speaker, Lord McFall of Alcluith, an election for a new lord speaker will be held in January 2026.
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