Commons and Lords

The UK Parliament has two Houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. They both make laws, scrutinise the Government and debate current issues. For most decisions, the Houses work together and one House's decision generally needs approval from the other.

House of Commons

The Commons is publicly elected. MPs debate issues and proposals for new laws. The party with the largest number of members in the Commons forms the Government.

The Commons alone makes decisions on financial Bills, such as proposals for new taxes. The Lords can consider these Bills but cannot block or amend them.

House of Lords

The Lords is Parliament's second chamber. It is independent from the Commons and complements its work. Members of the Lords help make and shape laws and scrutinise the Government.

How the Houses work together

The Houses each consider proposed laws. The Commons is elected; the Lords provides a second chamber that can examine and propose changes. Their roles are related, but they are not identical.

Read The two-House system for the official explanation.

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