What is the House of Lords and how does it work?
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Charles III delivered his first King's Speech from the throne in the House of Lords in November 2023
Labour has watered down its earlier plans to reform the House of Lords if the party wins the general election.
Sir Keir Starmer previously said he would abolish the parliamentary chamber in its present form altogether.
What is the House of Lords?
The House of Lords is part of the UK Parliament.
Also known as the Upper Chamber, it is independent from the House of Commons - 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 peers have worked in politics - including some former MPs - others are experts in areas such as science or the arts.
Most peers stay in the Lords for life - although some choose to retire.
The monarch delivers the King's Speech from the throne of the House of Lords as part of the State Opening of Parliament.
How many members sit in the House of Lords?
The House of Lords does not have a fixed number of seats, and its size fluctuates as members leave and join.
In June 2024 there were 785 peers,, external making the House of Lords the second largest parliamentary chamber in the world. Only China's National People's Congress is bigger.
The current chamber includes:
275 Conservative peers
171 Labour
79 Liberal Democrats
6 Democratic Unionist Party
2 Ulster Unionist Party
2 Green Party
2 Plaid Cymru
There are also 181 Crossbenchers - peers who are not affiliated to a particular party - and 25 bishops.
In total, there are 555 male peers and 230 female peers.
How do people join the House of Lords?
There are three main ways, external to become a peer:
Appointment: Most peers are appointed by the monarch on the PM's advice. Nominations are vetted by the House of Lords Appointments Commission,, external but the PM ultimately decides who to put forward
Hereditary: These peers inherit their titles from a parent. Most hereditary peerages were abolished in 1999, when the number was reduced to 92, external
Holding certain jobs: Some positions - such as being the Archbishop of York or Canterbury - entitle the holder to a seat in the Lords
In June 2024, there were 670 appointed life peers and 90 hereditary peers.
In 2016, a House of Lords committee was set up to consider ways of reducing the size of the chamber, external. It has published a number of reports about possible reform.
In June 2023, the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee launched another inquiry, external to consider the size of the House of Lords how peers are appointed and their role and responsibilities.
What are peers paid?
Most Lords are entitled to a £342 daily allowance, external for each sitting day they attend - although they can choose not to claim.
Some also receive a salary - like the Lord Speaker and government ministers.
Salaried peers cannot claim the daily allowance.
How would Labour reform the House of Lords?
The Labour manifesto, external says House of Lords reform is "long overdue and essential" because "too many peers do not play a proper role in our democracy" and that the chamber has become too big.
It says the party would phase out the remaining hereditary peers and members would have to retire at the end of the Parliament following their 80th birthday, if it wins the general election on 4 July.
Labour also wants to make it easier for "disgraced peers" to be removed and would introduce participation requirements to increase standards.
Party leader Sir Keir previously said he would abolish the "undemocratic" and "indefensible" chamber altogether and replace it with a fully-elected body.
Instead, the party's manifesto says the party would consult on replacing the Lords with a "more representative" alternative.
The Liberal Democrats' manifesto says it would reform the House of Lords to ensure peers had "a proper democratic mandate".
How do other countries' upper chambers work?
US: The US Senate has 100 elected members, external who serve six-year terms. A third of the membership is elected every two years
Canada: The Canadian Senate has 105 members, external and a mandatory retirement age of 75. Like the Lords, its members are appointed on the recommendation of the PM
France: The French Senate has 348 elected members, external who serve six-year terms. Half are up for election every three years