What is the House of Lords, how does it work and how is it changing?

The House of Lords is independent of the House of Commons, but carries out similar roles.

For example, it examines and votes on legislation, questions government decisions and investigates matters of public policy.

The chamber does not have a fixed number of seats, and its size fluctuates as members leave and join.

As at 4 September, there are 805 peers, external, making the House of Lords the second largest parliamentary chamber in the world. Only China’s National People’s Congress is bigger.

Like the Commons, the Lords has a Speaker, external. The post was established in 2006, and the current Speaker, Lord McFall, was elected for a five-year term in 2021.