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.

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

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

Final text of Nationality and Borders Bill agreed

Bill becomes an Act of Parliament. Catch up

29 April 2022

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill completes passage through parliament

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 chamber with members sat on the red benches during business

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

A teenage boy stares at a computer screen

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

A busy House of Lords chamber with members filling the benches

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

Lords committee calls for new national plan for sport, health and wellbeing

The Lords Sport and Recreation Committee has called on the governmen to act to tackle rising levels of inequality. Particularly the need to tackle levels of inactivity in certain groups, such as women and girls, disabled people, ethnic minorities, the elderly and people from less affluent backgrounds. A national plan for sport, health and wellbeing will set clear goals and better coordinate departments to deliver real change.