Starmer restores powers to ousted hereditary peers in Lords shake-up

It is understood 15 Tory hereditary peers, two Labour and nine crossbenchers have received life peerages. Photograph: House of Lords/UK Parliament/PA

Dozens of hereditary peers whose seats have been abolished have had their lawmaking powers restored as Keir Starmer seeks to accelerate changes to the House of Lords.

It is understood that 15 Conservative hereditary peers, two Labour and nine crossbenchers have been handed life peerages, enabling their return to the red benches.