What is the House of Lords?
The House of Lords is the upper house of the UK Parliament. Its members, called peers, are mostly appointed rather than elected. It reviews and suggests changes to laws passed by the House of Commons.
Most members are life peers, appointed for their expertise or service. There are also 26 bishops of the Church of England, known as the Lords Spiritual.
Historically, many hereditary peers, who inherited their titles, sat in the Lords. Most were removed in 1999, and the government has introduced legislation to remove the remaining hereditary peers.
Role of the Lords
The Lords can delay legislation and propose amendments, but cannot block most laws passed by the Commons permanently.
Its chamber, decorated in red, is the most lavish in the Palace of Westminster. The monarch delivers the King's Speech from the throne in the House of Lords.
The House of Lords has hundreds of members, making it one of the largest legislative chambers in the world.
There have been many debates about reforming the Lords, including proposals to make it elected.