Question

What are the special powers enjoyed by the upper house of the UK?

Answer 1

The upper house of the UK Parliament is called the House of Lords. Its powers are restricted and mostly advisory, but it still has some special roles to play.

• Legislative Powers (Delaying Power): Laws from 1911 and 1949 say that it can put off for up to a year a non-money bill that was passed by the House of Commons. It can only put off a money bill for one month. After that, the bill becomes law on its own.
• Revisionary Role: Acts as a revising chamber, carefully looking over laws and offering changes. It often makes laws better, especially when it comes to technical and legal parts.
• Expertise and Debate: Many Lords are professionals in law, science, the arts, or public life, and they give insightful discussion and examination. It has a consultative and deliberative role in government
• Judicial Role (Historic): From 1999 to 2009, the House of Lords was the UK’s top court of review. In 2009, this duty was given to the UK Supreme Court.