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.
More highlights from the House of Lords
Examples from the House of Lords' work to check and challenge government, and scrutinise legislation.
Lords agrees improvements to Environment Bill
Members agree proposed compromises on courts' powers and reducing the impact of sewage discharges after asking the Commons to think again. Find out more
10 November 2021
Lords presses government on health and social care issues
Catch up as members press government to improve heath and social care provisions
05 November 2021
House of Lords summer roundup
Catch up on a packed start to the 2021-22 session in the House of Lords.
27 July 2021
Highlights from the 2019-21 session in the Lords
Read more about the House's work checking and revising legislation, debating key issues, and scrutinising the decisions and actions of the government.
07 May 2021
Domestic Abuse Bill becomes law
During the course of its progress through the House of Lords, members successfully campaigned to make changes to the draft law
28 April 2021
Lords agrees to Commons Trade Bill compromise
Lords accepts compromise on Parliament's scrutiny of trade deals with states accused of committing genocide. Find out more
24 March 2021
How did the House of Lords push to protect food standards in the Agriculture Bill?
Find out about the progress of the Agriculture Bill through the House of Lords
09 December 2020
Latest from the Lords
Read latest news from the House of Lords
What's on in the Lords 6-10 December
Discover what questions, debates and bills are coming up in the Lords from 6-10 December
03 December 2021
Lords debates Health and Care Bill
Members discuss key purposes and principles of the new draft law including setting a cap on care costs and restricting advertising of unhealthy food and drinks. Find out more
03 December 2021
Procedure and Privileges Committee publishes Fifth Report
Procedure and Privileges Committee publishes Fifth Report
03 December 2021
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
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.