House of Lords pauses for Easter recess

The year so far in the Lords

Since the New Year, the House of Lords has convinced the government to make changes to the Football Governance Bill and Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, and asked the government to think again on areas of the recent Bus Services (No. 2) Bill and Great British Energy Bill. Members also completed detailed scrutiny of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill, debating changes on topics including the composition of the Lords and appointment of future members.

Members have pressed the government in questions and debates on a range of topics. Click below to watch members press the government on:

• farming and rural communities
• working from home and productivity
• supporting people into apprenticeships
• protecting creators in the age of AI
• the European Convention on Human Rights
• care home safety ratings
• women in science and technology
• the Post Office Horizon compensation scheme
• banning the secondary market in driving tests
• restricting foreign interference in UK democratic politics.

House of Lords committees have also launched inquiries into:

• impact of the Autism Act 2009
• remote and hybrid working
• the UK’s involvement in space
• social mobility.

Find out how you can get involved and have your say by submitting evidence to a Lords committee.

The Lords Science and Technology Committee also called on the government to take far greater risks to boost UK scientific innovation and commercialisation. Find out more about the work of House of Lords committees in this video:

Recall

The House of Lords, alongside the House of Commons was recalled on Saturday 12 August to consider the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill.

40 years of broadcasting

2025 marks the 40th anniversary of TV cameras broadcasting from the House of Lords chamber. Proceedings were televised on BBC1 and BBC2 for the first time on 23 January 1985 and footage is now available to watch online on the House of Lords YouTube channel.

Return to business

The House of Lords returns on Tuesday 22 April with renters’ rights, restricting the sale of tobacco and vapes, and mental health on the agenda. Sign up to the House of Lords newsletter for weekly updates on what’s on in the Lords.