House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) (No. 2) Bill

Key Points

• It amends the House of Lords Act 1999 to abolish by-elections for hereditary peers.
• Vacancies among hereditary peers would not be filled, leading to a gradual reduction in hereditary peers in the Lords.
• The bill is a Commons-originating measure and has completed its first reading; it is currently at its second reading in the Commons.
• This change affects the composition of the House of Lords but does not immediately remove all hereditary peers.

Progress

The Bill has had its first reading in the Commons on 11 December 2023 and is presently at the second reading stage in the Commons; there is no information yet on progress in the Lords.