House of Lords Committee Recommends Mandatory 20% Attendance and 80-Year Retirement Age

A select committee of the House of Lords has put forward a series of proposals intended to reform the chamber's composition and working practices. The recommendations include a requirement for peers to attend at least 20% of sittings annually and a compulsory retirement age of 80.

The committee's report, presented on 13th May, also advocates for a reduction in the total number of members, currently standing at over 800. This follows persistent criticism regarding the Lords' size, particularly in contrast to its directly elected counterpart. While the proposals do not suggest a fixed cap on membership, they imply a need for more rigorous entry and exit mechanisms.

Critics frequently point to the substantial cost of maintaining the chamber, with peers able to claim a daily allowance of £342 for attendance. The proposed reforms seek to mitigate public expenditure and address concerns about accountability, although the ultimate decision on implementing these changes rests with the Government.