Overview

This bill aims to amend the House of Lords Act 1999, eliminating by-elections for hereditary peers in the House of Lords. Instead of filling vacancies caused by death, retirement, resignation, or expulsion of hereditary peers, the number of hereditary peers will be capped at 90.

Description

The bill modifies Section 2 of the House of Lords Act 1999. Specifically:

• It replaces subsection (2) to limit the number of excepted hereditary peers (those allowed to sit in the House of Lords) to a maximum of 90 at any given time.
• It replaces subsection (4) to ensure that any vacancies arising after the bill's enactment will not be filled by appointing further hereditary peers. Vacancies will simply reduce the total number of hereditary peers until it reaches the limit of 90.

The bill applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to have a significant impact on government spending. The abolishment of by-elections will likely result in minor savings associated with the electoral process, but no figures are provided within the bill text itself.

Groups Affected

The following groups may be affected:

• Hereditary Peers: The bill directly impacts hereditary peers by eliminating their right to by-elections to fill vacancies. The number of hereditary peers in the House of Lords will be capped, potentially reducing their overall influence.
• The House of Lords: The composition of the House of Lords will change as the number of hereditary peers is reduced over time due to vacancies.
• The UK Public: While there is no direct impact on the public, the bill may affect their representation in the legislative process.

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