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

The House of Lords, external is part of the UK Parliament.

Also known as the Upper Chamber, it is independent from the House of Commons, external – where 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) debate and vote on new laws.

Members of the Lords are called “peers”. Like MPs, they scrutinise the work of government and recommend changes to proposed legislation.

Unlike MPs, however, peers are not elected.

While many have worked in politics – including some former MPs – others are experts in areas such as science or the arts.

There are three main ways, external to become a peer: