Retirement and Participation Committee

Lord Gardiner of Kimble Excerpts

Thursday 18th December 2025 Lords Chamber

Moved by

[The Senior Deputy Speaker]

That: (1) A Select Committee be appointed to consider and make recommendations on—

(a) a retirement age, and

(b) a participation requirement for members of the House of Lords;

(2) In relation to these issues the Committee shall consider and report to the House on—

(a) the impact of a retirement age on the House and, in particular, its size and functioning,

(b) the impact of a participation requirement on the House and, in particular, its membership and functioning, and

(c) options for the implementation of a retirement age and participation requirement including without primary legislation and that these options should include transitional measures, where appropriate;

And that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:

Anelay of St Johns, B, Blunkett, L, Chandos, V, Hayman, B, Manningham-Buller, B, Mattinson, B, Parminter, B, Sherbourne of Didsbury, L, Smith of Hindhead, L, Strathclyde, L, Suttie, B, Taylor of Bolton, B (Chair)

That the Committee do report by 31 July 2026;

That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records;

That the evidence taken by the Committee be published, if the Committee so wishes; and

That the Report of the Committee be printed, regardless of any adjournment of the House.

Motion agreed.