Member

Making this change, we are committed to ensuring that the House can continue to function effectively. I have been consistently clear that this has never been about hampering the ability of the Opposition to scrutinise the Government. The Government have had constructive conversations with the Official Opposition on completing the passage of this legislation. Having had those discussions, we appreciate the case that has been made by the Official Opposition that they rely significantly on the experience of hereditary Peers, particularly on the Front Bench but also in committees. Therefore, an agreed number of life peerages will be allocated to the Official Opposition—and to the Cross-Benchers, who made a similar case in relation to experience.