What is the difference between the House of Commons and House of Lords?

The House of Commons is elected and has the power to create laws and control taxation. The House of Lords is unelected (appointed) and reviews legislation but cannot permanently block bills passed by the Commons.

How does a Bill become a law?

A Bill must pass through multiple readings and committee stages in both Houses. Once passed by both Houses, it receives Royal Assent from the Monarch and becomes an Act of Parliament (a law).

Who is the Speaker of the House?

The Speaker is the presiding officer of the House of Commons, elected by MPs. They chair debates, maintain order, and must remain politically neutral.

UK Parliament and How Laws Are Made: Life in the UK Test

Key facts

Location: Palace of Westminster, London
Commons MPs: 650
Lower House: House of Commons (elected)
Upper House: House of Lords (appointed)
Elections: At least every 5 years

The UK Parliament is the highest legislative authority in the United Kingdom. Based at the Palace of Westminster in London, it is one of the oldest and most influential democratic institutions in the world.

Structure of Parliament

Parliament has three parts:

The House of Commons

650 elected Members of Parliament (MPs)
Each MP represents a constituency
The Commons creates and passes laws
Holds the government to account
Controls taxation and spending

The House of Lords

Around 800 members (Lords)
Includes life peers, hereditary peers, and bishops
Reviews and revises legislation
Can delay (but not permanently block) bills
Provides expertise and scrutiny

The Monarch

Formally opens Parliament
Gives Royal Assent to laws
Role is largely ceremonial

How Laws Are Made

1A Bill is introduced (usually by the government)
2First Reading - formal introduction
3Second Reading - debate on principles
4Committee Stage - detailed examination
5Report Stage - amendments considered
6Third Reading - final debate
7Process repeated in the other House
8Royal Assent - becomes law (an Act)

Key Facts

Mother of Parliaments - Westminster's model influenced democracies worldwide
Parliamentary sovereignty - Parliament is the supreme legal authority
General elections - held at least every five years
Prime Minister - leader of the party with Commons majority

The Speaker

The Speaker of the House of Commons chairs debates and maintains order. They are elected by MPs and must be politically neutral.

Why it comes up in the test

Parliament is a core exam topic. Know the two Houses, how laws are made, and the role of MPs.

Common traps

Confusing the House of Commons with the House of Lords
Thinking the House of Lords can permanently block laws
Forgetting that the Monarch is technically part of Parliament

UK Parliament: common questions

There are 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons. Each MP represents a constituency (local area) and is elected by voters in that constituency.

Written from Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), the only official source for the test. BritPass is not affiliated with the Home Office; if anything here differs from the handbook, the handbook is right.