House of Lords

House of Lords

Peers are members of the House of Lords

The upper House is known for the expertise of its members and the painstaking detail of its scrutiny of legislation

the majority of peers are not paid a salary for their trouble

peers can claim generous expenses when they do turn up

The name peer was adopted, as long ago as the 13th Century, to convey the idea that all members are equal, no matter what their aristocratic rank or title.

There are approximately 750 peers.

The majority are appointed, or given life peerages, by the Queen on the advice of the prime minister.

A total of 92 peers sit in the Lords by virtue of a hereditary peerage

26 seats are reserved for bishops and archbishops.

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The House of Lords is the second Chamber of the UK Parliament.

It makes laws, holds the Government to account and investigates policy issues.

complements the work of the House of Commons.

peers can force concessions from the government.

The Commons, made up of elected MPs, can over-rule decisions made in the Lords, where members are not elected, by invoking the Parliament Act.

The House of Lords is therefore a revising chamber, and peers - many of whom are experts in a particular field of public policy, such as economics or health - regularly ask the government to re-think important legislation.