Highlights from the 2023-24 session in the House of Lords

Changing laws 

The majority of time in the House of Lords, about 60%, is spent scrutinising and improving legislation. Members examine each bill line by line and, unlike in the Commons, all proposed changes are debated. Not all changes result from a vote in the House. Many amendments to bills are made following proposals from Lords members, with the government acting on concerns raised during debates. 

• Find out more about the role of the House of Lords in legislation in the Lord Speaker's Corner video series.

Changes to draft laws in this session of Parliament included:

Media Act

During the progress of the Media Bill, members successfully convinced the government to prevent foreign state ownership in UK newspaper companies.

The Act aims to update the existing legislative framework on broadcasting governance following the UK's exit from the EU and to address technological changes, such as the rise of on-demand services.

Victims and Prisoners Act

The government accepted Lords proposals to require the compensation scheme for victims of the infected blood scandal to be established within three months of the Victims and Prisoners Bill becoming law.

Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill's aims were to improve homeownership for leaseholders by empowering them and improving their consumer rights.

Members speaking at report stage put forward changes to be considered on subjects including retirement housing, National Trust properties and homeowner leases. After consideration of Lords amendments, these changes were accepted by the government.

Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Act

The Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill's aims were to ensure the UK's compliance with the CPTPP by changing domestic rules on trade barriers, government procurement and intellectual property.

Challenging government action 

Members of the Lords check and challenge the work of government through questions and debates in the chamber. This session members pressed the government on topics including: 

• sewage pollution
• the gender pay gap
• knife crime
• 'nudify' apps and deepfakes
• child obesity
• the Post Office Horizon scandal
• LGBT+ staff
• home ownership
• the job market for graduates
• child refugees
• BAME child mortality
• policing of demonstrations.

Investigating public policy 

House of Lords committees play a vital role in examining public policy, proposed laws and government action. In the 2023-24 session:

• the Environment and Climate Change Committee published its report on electric vehicles
• the Economic Affairs Committee started investigating the sustainability of national debt
• the Science and Technology Committee published its report on long-duration energy storage
• the International Relations and Defence Committee launched its inquiry into the implications of the war in Ukraine for UK defence.

Special investigative committees 

Four special investigative committees were set up to explore specific issues outside of the main committees’ subject areas. This year, they have covered:

• food, diet and obesity
• statutory inquires
• Modern Slavery Act 2015
• preterm birth.

Image: House of Lords / Roger Harris