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.
Highlights from the House of Lords
Examples from the House of Lords' work to check and challenge government, and scrutinise legislation.
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
The House of Lords 2021-22: highlights from the session
After more than 1450 hours of business, with over 200 votes on changes to draft laws and members pressing government decisions and actions in more than 600 questions, the House of Lords 2021-22 session has come to an end. Catch up on a packed session in the Lords.
29 April 2022
Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill completes passage through parliament
Bill becomes an Act of Parliament. Catch up
29 April 2022
Final text of Nationality and Borders Bill agreed
Bill becomes an Act of Parliament. Catch up
29 April 2022
House of Lords pauses for recess
As the House of Lords pauses for recess, catch up on recent activity in the UK Parliament’s second chamber as members ask government to think again on topics in several draft laws
08 April 2022
Lords questions government on Ukraine
The House of Lords continues to press the government on its response to the invasion of Ukraine through questions, debates and legislation. Learn more
10 March 2022
House of Lords pauses for recess
Catch up on a packed start to 2022 in the House of Lords, with highlights of business from 5 January - 10 February
11 February 2022
House of Lords Podcast: protecting children and the Union
We speak to Baroness Kidron about her work protecting children online and to Baroness Taylor of Bolton and Lord Dunlop about strengthening the Union.
28 January 2022
2021 in the House of Lords
As the House of Lords pauses for recess until January, we look back at an action-packed year in the UK Parliament’s second chamber.
17 December 2021
House of Lords Podcast: a healthier nation, and government by 'diktat'
What is needed to make England a healthier nation? and why are two committees concerned about government use of secondary legislation? Find out in this month's House of Lords Podcast.
16 December 2021
Latest from the Lords
Read latest news from the House of Lords
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Bill completes passage through Parliament
Members discuss rules regarding appointment of Northern Ireland ministers as draft legislation set to become law. Catch up
06 December 2022
Children and Families Act 2014: an example of inadequate implementation
The Children and Families Act 2014 Committee publishes its report, Children and Families Act 2014: A failure of implementation.
06 December 2022
Private members' bills in the Lords in the 2022-23 session
Follow the progress of private members' bills in the House of Lords during the 2022-23 session of Parliament
05 December 2022
What the Lords does
The House of Lords is made up of around 800 members from a variety of professions and walks of life
Making laws: House of Lords stages
Bills start in either the House of Lords or House of Commons. They go through set stages of approval in both Houses before they become an Act of Parliament
Checking and challenging government
The House of Lords plays an important role in checking and challenging the decisions and actions of the government through questions and debates
Lords select committees
The House of Lords committees investigate public policy, proposed laws and government activity
House of Lords Hansard
A report of all House of Lords business
The House of Lords Library
The House of Lords Library provides impartial research and information services to Members of the House of Lords, their staff and the staff of the House.