What is the house of lords?
The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. Its members are not elected. It revises and scrutinises laws passed by the House of Commons, questions ministers and investigates issues through committees. It can delay most bills but cannot permanently block laws the elected Commons insists on.
Most members are life peers, appointed by the King on the advice of the Prime Minister or the independent House of Lords Appointments Commission. There are also 26 Church of England bishops. Many peers sit for a party, while crossbenchers are independent. Members include former MPs, judges, scientists, business leaders and charity heads.
The House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026 removed the remaining hereditary peers. They left when the parliamentary session ended on 29 April 2026. Of the 77 excluded, 26 later returned with life peerages. The Lords does much of its detailed work in committees. Peers go through bills line by line, and the government often accepts their amendments. Expert committees also investigate subjects such as science, the economy and the constitution.
Under the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949, the Lords can delay most bills by about a year. It cannot block money bills. By the Salisbury Convention, it does not vote down bills that carry out the government's manifesto. Supporters value its expertise and careful revision. Critics say an unelected chamber has no place in a democracy and that it has grown too large.
Much of the left wants the Lords replaced by an elected chamber, seeing appointment as undemocratic.
Much of the right prefers gradual reform, valuing the Lords' expertise and fearing an elected chamber would rival the Commons.
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Play WeDecide freeCommon questions
Are members of the House of Lords elected?
No. Most are appointed for life, alongside 26 bishops. Hereditary peers were removed in 2026.
Can the House of Lords stop a law?
It can delay most bills for about a year, but the Commons can then pass them without its consent.
Are members of the Lords paid?
They do not get a salary but can claim a daily allowance for days they attend.
How are most members of the House of Lords chosen?
Appointed as life peers. Most members are life peers appointed for their experience or by party leaders.
Roughly how many members does the House of Lords have?
About 800. It has around 800 members, one of the largest legislatures in the world.