House of Lords Appointment Commission – New Non-party Political Peers

Two new non-party-political peers recommended by the House of Lords Appointments Commission were announced today. They will sit on the crossbenches in the Upper House. Haleh Afshar currently teaches Politics and Women's Studies at the University of York. She is also the Visiting Professor of Islamic Law at the International Faculty of Comparative Law, University of Strasbourg. Professor Afshar is the founder and Chair of the Muslim Women's Network, and she is an advisor to the Government on public policy relating to Muslim women and Islamic law.

Nicholas Stern is the IG Patel Professor of Economics and Government at the London School of Economics and is an internationally distinguished economist. Previously he was the Head of the Government Economic Service and adviser to Her Majesty's Government on the economics of climate change and development. He led the Stern Review of the Economics of Climate Change, which focused on the likely economic consequences of climate change for current and future generations.

Notes to Editors

1. Media enquiries about the work of the House of Lords Appointments Commission should go to Maggie O'Boyle on 07880 740627.
2. Further information on the Appointments Commission can be obtained from www.lordsappointments.gov.uk [External website]
3. The Appointments Commission is a non'statutory advisory body set up by the Prime Minister to make recommendations for non-party-political peerages. The Commission's remit is to find people of distinction who will bring authority and expertise to the House of Lords. The Commission recommends individuals on merit and their ability to contribute effectively to the work of the House.
4. The House of Lords Appointments Commission has now recommended a total of 44 non-party-political peerages to the Prime Minister.