United Kingdom

House of Lords

Political system
Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament
Bicameral
IPU membership
Yes

Law-making

Data on parliament’s law-making role and activities

Legislative activity

Number of laws adopted by parliament, per year
57
(2023)

Notes: Figures include primary legislation only (Acts of Parliament).

Total number of laws adopted by Parliament in the previous legislature
195
(2024-07)
Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by parliament
49
(2024-07)
Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by the government
146
(2024-07)
Percentage of laws initiated by parliament in the previous legislature
25%
(2024-07)
Dates of the previous legislature
17 Dec 2019 to 24 May 2024
(2024-07)
Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislation
Other

Notes:

If the two Houses do not agree on the text of the legislation the House of Commons can decide to apply the Parliament Acts under which the House of Commons can apply for Royal Assent for its text of the legislation without the agreement of the House of Lords.

For an explanation of the workings of Parliament Acts see: https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/SN00675

Sources: The Parliament Acts

Executive-legislative relations

Legislation adopted by parliament requires the assent of the Head of State
Yes

Notes: While “Royal Assent” by the Monarch is required for legislation to be passed, it is largely theoretical. In practice, Royal Assent has not been refused since 1707.

Sources: Royal Assent Act 1967

Number of times the Head of State declined to give assent to legislation, per year
0
(2023)
Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation
No further action is taken. The legislation is rejected
Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree
Other

Notes: Royal Assent is required but in practice has not been refused since 1707.

Existence of a procedure to introduce emergency legislation

There is a procedure for introducing emergency legislation into parliament
No information available

Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No