In Focus
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.
In Focus
There is no fixed number of seats in the House of Lords, and its make up can change week by week. This piece provides a snapshot of its composition in June 2020.
Research Briefing
There is no fixed number of seats in the House of Lords, and its make up can change week by week. This Library briefing provides a snapshot of its composition on 12 June 2020.
In Focus
The UK’s second chamber has adapted in response to the coronavirus pandemic. But to what extent have some of the changes affected participation levels?
In Focus
This article summarises the scrutiny of the Coronavirus Act 2020 in the House of Lords. The Act was emergency legislation passed by Parliament in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The Act provided the Government with a range of powers to tackle the disease, including: the closure of schools and nurseries; powers to detain those suspected of having the virus; and restrictions on public gatherings.
Research Briefing
The Government has proposed setting up a constitution, democracy and rights commission to consider broad aspects of the UK’s constitution. This would look at issues including the relationship between the government, parliament, and the courts; the functioning of the royal prerogative; the role of the House of Lords; and access to justice.
Research Briefing
This proposed law seeks to end hereditary by-elections in the House of Lords.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library briefing presents a range of information on the membership of the House of Lords as at 17 January 2020. All figures are for the membership as at this date unless otherwise stated.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Briefing provides background information on the Extension of Franchise (House of Lords) Bill [HL], ahead of its second reading in the House of Lords on 7 February 2020.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library briefing presents data on the regional background of the House of Lords within the context of continued interest in the composition of the House of Lords.
Research Briefing
With reference to state openings in 2019, 2017, March 1974 and 1939, this briefing discusses the differences between a traditional state opening and one with reduced ceremonial elements.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library briefing covers the maiden and valedictory speeches made during the course of the 2017--2019 parliament. The first and last speeches made by a Member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by the House.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library briefing provides summary data on the size and composition of the House of Lords. The information is taken from the House of Lords registry database and is correct as at 29 November 2019.
In Focus
How can the House of Commons pass laws the Lords disagrees with? The answer lies in two key pieces of legislation. The Parliament Act 1911 provided that any public bill rejected by the House of Lords could still be passed as long as three sessions over a two-year period had elapsed from its original second reading to its final third reading in the House of Commons. The Parliament Act 1949, passed 70 years ago, reduced that time period to one year and two sessions.
Research Briefing
According to the Salisbury Convention, the House of Lords gives a second reading to government bills that seek to implement manifesto commitments, does not subject manifesto bills to wrecking amendments and returns manifesto bills to the Commons in reasonable time. This House of Lords Library Briefing examines the development of the convention and looks at the debates on how it applied after the 2010 and 2017 general elections, which both produced a hung parliament.
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