Archive · 1 Feb 2026
UK House of Lords Reform Plans
The House of Lords is a big group of people who help make laws in the UK, but they aren't elected by the public.
Some of them are chosen because of their jobs, like bishops, and some are there because their families have been in the Lords for a long time.
People argue about whether this is fair or not.
Some think it's good because these people are experts, but others think it's bad because they aren't chosen by the voters.
The government wants to make some changes, like getting rid of the hereditary peers and making sure the Lords are more representative of the country.
They also want to make it easier to remove people who do something wrong.
These changes are still being discussed, and a report is expected by the end of July 2024.
The House of Lords is the world's largest unelected second chamber with 844 members, including 24 Lords Spiritual and 85 hereditary peers.
Reforms proposed include removing all hereditary peers, establishing a mandatory retirement age of 80, and improving the appointments process.
The Lords scrutinizes legislation passed by the Commons, suggesting revisions and debating for extensive hours.
Critics argue the Lords is undemocratic, unrepresentative, and politicized in its appointments, while supporters praise its expertise and role as a check on legislation.
The House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill is a first step in a series of reforms, with a committee due to report on the proposals by 31 July 2024.
- Who
- The UK House of Lords, an unelected upper parliamentary chamber with 844 members, including 24 Lords Spiritual and 85 hereditary peers.
- What
- The House of Lords is undergoing proposed reforms to remove hereditary peers and improve the appointments process.
- When
- The proposed reforms are part of a series of changes, with a Lords committee due to report on them before 31 July 2024.
- Where
- The House of Lords is based in the United Kingdom.
- Why
- Reforms aim to address concerns about the unelected nature of the Lords, its lack of representation, and the politicized appointments process.
- Current Members
- 844
- Lords Spiritual
- 24 (bishops of the Church of England)
- Hereditary Peers
- 85
- Average Age
- 71
- Annual Cost
- £143.8 million (2023/24)
- Daily Attendance Allowance
- £371 (tax-free)
- Reform Bill
- House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill
- Proposed Retirement Age
- 80