House of Lords: 36 new drains on the tax payers

On Friday it was announced Prime Minister Boris Johnson has put forward 36 people for peerages. The announcements were made in the PM’s honours list, which marks the first anniversary of Mr Johnson becoming Prime Minister. Here’s how much the new addition of peers in the House of Lords will cost the UK.

As an unelected body, many have been critical of the influence the House of Lords still has today on British politics, and many are also critical of the cost of the House to the taxpayer.

Darren Hughes, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society, said 36 new peers are likely to cost a staggering sum to the taxpayer.

Mr Hughes said: "Based on the average claim of a peer, the 36 new peers are likely to cost £1.1 million a year in expenses from the taxpayer.

"By appointing a host of ex-MPs, party loyalists and his own brother, the PM is inviting total derision.

“That he can get away with it shows what a private member's club this house is.”

The addition of 36 new peers will also significantly increase the size of the House of Lords even further, Mr Hughes added.

He said: "The Lords was already the largest second chamber in the world. There are now over 800 unelected peers, voting on our laws for life.

“This move is an absolute insult to voters. This is making a mockery of democracy."