The House of Lords is the independent upper chamber of the UK Parliament (kind of like the US Senate) that works alongside the House of Commons to shape laws, scrutinize government action, and investigate public policy. It comprises over 670 members, primarily life peers, alongside hereditary peers and bishops holding office for life.  Sometimes instead of just acting as a confirming house for laws from the main elected body of the Commons, it actually is the starting point for new laws or changing existing ones.

Like in the recent case when the Lords passed an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, classifying anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes as aggravated offences and equalizing penalties with those for racial and religious hate crimes. This change means anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes, which target people based on their sexual orientation or transgender identity, will carry higher maximum sentencing penalties and allow victims more time to report incidents to police. Previously, such crimes were recognized in law but not classified as aggravated, resulting in lower maximum penalties compared to hate crimes based on race or religion, and a strict six-month statutory time limit for reporting, investigation, and prosecution.