Around 800 peers in total. Life peers (created since the 1958 Life Peerages Act) form the majority. 88 hereditary peers remain after the 1999 Act removed most. 26 bishops sit as Lords Spiritual. Approximately 180 crossbenchers carry no party whip.
Revising chamber - amends legislation. Scrutiny - committees including the Constitution Committee. Delaying power - Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 limit the Lords to a one-year delay on most bills. Expertise - former judges, doctors, military, peers ennobled for service.
Salisbury Convention - the Lords does not block manifesto bills. Financial privilege - Commons supremacy on money bills. Reasonable time - the Lords passes legislation in reasonable time, even when amendments are pressed.
1911 Parliament Act - removed Lords veto on money bills. 1949 Parliament Act - reduced delay from 2 years to 1. 1958 Life Peerages Act - introduced life peers. 1999 House of Lords Act - removed most hereditary peers. 2012 - Coalition reform plan abandoned. 2024 Hereditary Peers Bill - removes the remaining 88 hereditary peers.
Elected Lords (Coalition 2012, abandoned). Wholly appointed (status quo). Partly elected hybrid. Abolition. Recent Lords contributions: Rwanda Bill block 2024, Pension Schemes Bill amendments 2026, Assisted Dying Bill 1227 amendments 2026.
P2-2024-Q1a (source) Evaluate the view that there should be an elected House of Lords. P2-2023-Q2a Evaluate the view that the House of Commons and House of Lords are equally effective in performing their functions. P2-2021-Q1a (source) Evaluate the view that the roles and membership of the House of Lords. P2-2019-Q2b Evaluate the view that although the Lords has less power than the Commons, it is more effective in scrutinising government.