• In Focus

    House of Lords: Scrutiny of the new UK-EU relationship

    Relations between the UK and the EU entered a new phase in 2021, following the end of the Brexit transition period and the agreement of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. While those negotiations are now over, UK-EU relations remain of significant policy interest. This article looks at opportunities for the House of Lords to scrutinise the new relationship through committee activity, post-legislative scrutiny, holding ministers to account and interparliamentary cooperation.

  • In Focus

    Lords public bill stages: “That this bill do now pass”

    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 article provides examples of amendments to the motion and what the outcome was each time.

  • Research Briefing

    Lords Appointments: Life peerages created since 1958

    In 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced 58 new life peers. This took the total number of life peers created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 to 1,517. This briefing provides information and statistics on these peerage creations. This includes breakdowns by decade and by prime minister. It also contains a list of every life peer appointed under the Act.

  • Research Briefing

    Size of the House of Lords: November 2020 Update

    This briefing provides an update on the size of the House of Lords and recent statements on the issue following the new peerages announced this year. As at 20 November 2020, the size of the absolute membership was 820. This represented an increase in the size of the membership from the end of the 2017–19 session, but is lower than the peak of 845 at the end of the 2015–16 session.

  • In Focus

    Proxy voting and the House of Lords

    Members of the House of Commons may now vote by proxy in certain circumstances. In contrast, the practice has been prohibited in the House of Lords for over 150 years. What is the background to the rule against proxy voting in the second chamber?

  • In Focus

    New Lords appointments in July 2020

    This article analyses the 36 new peerages announced by the Prime Minister on 31 July 2020. It provides statistics on the background, gender and party affiliation of the new peers. The article also compares the number and gender balance of peers created by Boris Johnson with those of the former Prime Ministers Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Theresa May.

  • In Focus

    Capping the size of the House of Lords

    There is currently no cap on the membership of the House of Lords. Some have recommended the introduction of a cap to address concerns about the size of the House. This article discusses recent proposals to cap the membership at 600 and sets out the Government's position. It also contains brief information on recent changes in the size of the House.

  • In Focus

    Retirement from the House of Lords

    There is no formal retirement age for members of the House of Lords. However, members can voluntarily retire under the provisions of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. This article explains how these provisions came into force and details how many members have retired under this legislation so far.

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