Everyday English LogoMaking Information Easier to UnderstandMaking Information Easier to UnderstandMaking Information Easier to UnderstandMaking Information Easier to UnderstandMaking Information Easier to UnderstandOptimum Communications Development Home ButtonAbout OPTIMUM ButtonEveryday English ButtonLanguage Research ButtonThe Technology ButtonSample AnalysisReadability Indices ButtonContact Us Button Base Home ButtonBase About Optimum buttonBase Everyday English Editor ButtonBase Language Research ButtonBase Technology ButtonBase Sample Analysis ButtonBase Readability ButtonBase Contact Us Button
Text after editing to reduce the number of
non-everyday words and avoid long sentences
Everyday English Editor
Word count: 309        Everyday English Index:                     95.15%
Matches:      294 


The House of Lords

In general, the House of Lords does similar work to the House of Commons. This includes making laws, debating and questioning civil servants. There are two important differences: members of the Lords do not represent voters in particular areas, and they have no power over taxes and finance. The Lords generally help and balance what is done in the Commons. It can also make changes to important new laws or laws that are hard for people to agree on.

All new laws go through both Houses before becoming Acts of Parliament, and may start in either House. Normally, the Lords must agree before laws can be passed. They can also make changes to all new laws, except those to raise taxes. Only the Commons can do this, although changes have to be agreed by both Houses. The House of Lords does as much as the Commons to improve new laws, and spends two-thirds of its time revising these.

Following the Lords' voting down of the Government's budget of 1909, the Parliament Act of 1911 ended their power to stop new laws. Instead they were given a power to delay them, which was cut back further by the Parliament Act of 1949. The House of Commons can present a bill (except one to make the life of Parliament longer) for Royal Assent after one year and in a new session, even if the Lords have not agreed.

The Lords generally accept that they will not go on voting down laws that the Government promised to the public during a general election.

The House of Lords is also the final court of appeal for civil cases in the United Kingdom and for criminal cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Only the Lords of Appeal (Law Lords) - of whom there are 12 employed full-time - take part in judicial proceedings.