UK Parliament

to last year’s snow…🌨️

Is there a view that says winter in London more? 🇬🇧

📷 ©UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor

Red is a festive colour, but it’s also an important colour in Parliament…

It is the principal colour for furnishing and fabrics in the UK House of Lords 🎁 This colour choice most likely comes from the use by monarchs of red as a royal colour. 📕

The UK House of Lords is the second chamber of UK Parliament. It scrutinises laws, checks and challenges the actions of the government, and provides a forum of independent expertise. 🟥

It is independent from and complements the work of the UK House of Commons.

In 2023, the House of Lords considered over 5200 changes to draft laws, made over 2000 government and opposition amendments to bills and asked over 500 questions to government in the chamber.

As the year draws to a close, we’re looking back at highlights from the Lords.

Many changes to draft laws are made in the Lords. These can include changes adopted by government following members proposals earlier in a bill's progress through the House. They also include amendments directly from the government or other parties and groups.

📱 Keeping children safe online

The Lords completed detailed scrutiny of the Online Safety Bill this year. The government accepted changes to the bill originally proposed by Lords members on AI-generated content, age verification and Ofcom guidance on protecting women and girls.

🌳 Protecting woodland

During the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, the government made changes previously suggested by members on protecting ancient woodland. In the Financial Services and Markets Bill, government made changes on banned commodities that contribute to deforestation after member suggestions.

🗳️ Elections

Lord Hayward’s private member’s bill made it an offence for people to accompany a voter to influence their ballot. The government made changes to the National Security Bill to require political party policies to spot donations from foreign powers after member proposals.

Green is a festive colour, but it’s also an important colour in Parliament…

It is the principal colour for furnishing and fabrics in the UK House of Commons🎄

The first authoritative mention of the use of green in the Chamber occurred in 1663 📗

There are 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons. They represent their constituents' interests and concerns. MPs consider and propose new laws, and can scrutinise government policies. 🟩

Prime Minister's Questions with British Sign Language (BSL) - 13 December 2023 Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to ...

Find out what’s coming up this week in the House of Lords:

📃 In bills, members begin line by line check of the Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill and continue to examine a draft law on Pacific trade.

❓ In Lords questions, members quiz the government on UK banking hubs, adult social care, risks caused by loot boxes in video games, and levelling-up priorities for the Northeast of England.

📢 In debates, House of Lords raises concerns on fire safety regulations in England, the current threat posed by North Korea, and proposals to loan the Elgin Marbles to Greece.

📝 In committees, the European Affairs Committee hears from the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton David Cameron, about the UK-EU relationship.

Keep an eye out for our daily highlights on stories.

➡️ See full schedule https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2023/december-2023/whats-on-in-the-lords-11-14-december/

Prime Minister's Questions with British Sign Language (BSL) - 6 December 2023 Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to ...

Find out what’s coming up this week in the House of Lords:

📃 In bills, members debate the main purpose of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill and begin line by line check of a draft law on Pacific trade.

❓ In Lords questions, the House of Lords quizzes the government on safe air travel for disabled passengers, regulating AI, home ownership for 25 to 34 year-olds and violence against women and girls.

📢 In debates, members raise concerns on safeguarding children in schools, the UK's relationship with Latin America and strengthening family life.

📄 Members will also raise concerns in 'motions to regret' on immigration fees, Windsor Framework provisions and minimum service levels during strikes.

📝 In committees, the Communications and Digital Committee hears from Minister for Local Government, Simon H***e MP, on voter ID, and the International Relations and Defence Committee speaks to Baroness Ashton of Upholland on the UK and Western Balkans.

Keep an eye out for our daily highlights on stories.

➡️ See full schedule https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2023/november-2023/whats-on-in-the-lords-4-8-december/

Prime Minister's Questions with British Sign Language (BSL) - 29 November 2023 Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to ...

… let’s take a look behind the scenes at our Retail Team getting ready for Christmas. 🎄

Love their look? Our Parliament Christmas Jumper is available now: https://www.shop.parliament.uk/products/parliament-christmas-jumper

Images: ©UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor