The Lords cannot outright block legislation approved by the Commons - they can make amendments or delay them for up to a year if the Commons rejects amendments
Bills can be passed without approval from the Lords:
War Crimes Act 1991
Hunting Act 2004
European Parliamentary Elections Act 1999
Financial Privilege
The House of Lords cannot block bills relating to finances - this has been abused in the past (Welfare Reform Bill 2012) as the HOC has claimed a bill to be financial as the HOL made amendments
The Salisbury Convention
The Lords should not vote against a bill that seeks to enact a manifesto committment of the governing party - government shouldhave the authority to enact the programme presented to the electorate that brought them the victory - unelected Lords should not frustrate the will of the elected Commons
Lords are becoming more assertive and are more willing to break the Salisbury Convention - it is sometimes viewed as outdated or somewhat irrelevant if the government if the government do not have the support to claim a democratic mandate - especially in times of coalitions
Sexual Offences Amendment 2000 and the Hunting Act 2004
Government defeats have become more common, especially in the Lords
Blair and Brown's governments were defeated 7 times in the Commons but over 400 times in the Lords
Increased check and scrutiny of the executive - several factors including the balance of parties, government mandate (Salisbury Convention) and support from MPs (they are backed up in the Commons also)
