Skip to main content
Menu

Work of the House of Lords

The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. It is independent from, and complements the work of, the elected House of Commons. The Lords shares the task of making and shaping laws and checking and challenging the work of the government.

Read on for more highlights from the Lords and information on how the House works.

65 years of life peerages

A debate in the House of Lords with members filling the benches

In July 65 years ago, the first life peers were announced following the passage of the Life Peerages Act 1958, paving the way for House of Lords members from a range of backgrounds, including the first women.

Find out more about members from the last 65 years in this new digital publication featuring items and artwowrks from Parliament's Archives and Heritage Collections.

Discover more

Highlights from the House of Lords

Examples from the House of Lords' work to check and challenge government, and scrutinise legislation.

Housing supply and homelessness to be discussed by Lords
On Thursday 5 December, members of the House of Lords debate increasing housing supply and tackling homelessness. Find out more
29 November 2024
Effects of retail crime to be debated in the Lords
Members discuss retail crime and its consequences on workers, the community and local economies. Find out more
29 November 2024
Highlights from the 2023-24 session in the House of Lords
Look back at highlights from the 2023-24 session in the Lords.
19 July 2024
Lord Speaker's Corner
Hear from members of the House of Lords about what inspires them in their work in and beyond Parliament
26 January 2024
House of Lords chamber
Highlights from the 2022-23 session in the House of Lords
Catch up on highlights from a packed session in the Lords.
26 October 2023
House of Lords chamber
Catch up on 2023 so far in the House of Lords
Catch up on a busy start to 2023 in the Lords, with questions to government, debates on key issues, plus checking and changing of draft laws
26 July 2023
Engage with the House of Lords
Learn more about engaging with the House of Lords to effectively raise an issue in Parliament
16 March 2023
A busy House of Lords chamber looking towards the throne
2022 in the House of Lords
Catch up on a packed year in the Lords with 5,244 changes to 100 bills, plus questions and debates in over 3,350 hours of business.
19 December 2022
A man sits on a sofa speaking to his older father
House of Lords Podcast: adult social care, and children and families
This month we speak to two members who have been leading investigations into improving adult social care and how the government has incompletely implemented the Children and Families Act.
08 December 2022
The Houses of Parliament seen from across the Thames
House of Lords summer roundup
Catch up on a busy start to the 2022-23 session of Parliament as the House of Lords pauses for the summer recess.
25 July 2022
Lords Enquiry Service and FAQs

House of Lords FAQs

The Lords Enquiry Service provides information on the role, work and membership of the House of Lords.

  • Telephone: 0800 223 0855 (Freephone) or 020 7219 3107
  • Email: hlinfo@parliament.uk
  • Text Relay: 18001 7219 3107

The telephone enquiry service is open from 10am - 5pm Monday to Thursday, and 10am - 4pm on Fridays. During recess, the hours are 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm Monday to Friday.