House of Commons (lower house)
Members: 650 MPs (Members of Parliament), each elected in one constituency.
Term: At most 5 years. A general election must be held at least every five years, and it can come earlier.
Functions:
Makes laws: it debates and votes on bills, and most laws start here.
Controls money: it decides on taxes and the budget (“money bills”).
Forms the government: the leader of the party with a majority becomes Prime Minister.
Checks the government: through debates, committees and Prime Minister’s Questions every Wednesday.
Represents the people: it is the only elected chamber, so it has the final say.
House of Lords (upper house)
Members: About 800–830, one of the largest parliamentary chambers in the world. Members are not elected:
Life peers: the large majority, appointed by the King on the advice of the Prime Minister. Many are experts, such as doctors, judges, scientists or former politicians.
Lords Spiritual: 26 bishops of the Church of England.
Hereditary peers: 92 seats inherited through noble families. A recent reform is removing these seats, so the current number may differ from your textbook.
Term: There is no fixed term. Life peers stay members for life, though they can retire. Bishops sit as long as they hold their office.
Functions:
Revises laws: it checks and improves bills from the Commons and suggests amendments.
Delays laws: it can delay most bills for about one year and money bills for about one month. It cannot stop them permanently (Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949).
Checks the government: through questions to ministers, debates and expert committees.
Brings in expertise: many members are experts in their field.