HoL - types and roles of peers

Structure - types of peers

1. Hereditary

2. Bishops/religious leaders

3. People’s peers

4. Those chosen by PMs

Hereditary peers

• Limited to 92

People’s peers - established

• 2001- appointments commission established to ensure a more transparent and merit-based process for appointing members to the House of Lords

Number of people’s peers in 2024

76

Roles of peers

• Influence debates on national issues

• Scrutinise legislation

  • Check small details of legislation

• Question the govt representative

• Advocate for marginalised groups

• Delay legislation (not vetoing)