Lord Falconer has said there is a "strong feeling" that fresh reforms to the House of Lords should be introduced.

The constitutional affairs secretary has already held talks with the opposition parties on the way forward, with expectations that an elected element will be introduced into the upper house.

But the government is also seeking to reduce the power of the Lords to delay legislation.

The Times reported that under proposals being put forward by ministers, peers would not be able to block any bill that was a manifesto commitment and their powers to delay legislation would be limited to 60 days.

"I want to see if there is a way forward," Lord Falconer told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"I think there is a strong feeling - and it has been there for some time, it is not just the consequence of the loans issue - that we should try and address the issue.

"I, some weeks before any suggestion of the loans scandal, was saying the same things that I am saying now, and saying it on behalf of the government.

"We were saying it not as a smokescreen but because it is a very important issue.

"My view is that there should be a substantial elected element. I don't want to talk about the precise percentage."

The cabinet minister also said the government viewed Lords reform as "unfinished business".

The fresh push to continue the reform process was welcomed by Kenneth Clarke, who is leading the Conservative Party's democracy task force.

"The only good thing that is going to come out of the cash for peerages scandal is that state funding of parties and House of Lords reform are going to go rocketing up the agenda again," he told the BBC.

"And if the prime minister is repenting whilst he awaits sentence well I am glad of it because I have always been keen on House of Lords reform.

"I am in favour of a largely-elected House of Lords and I think it has been brought a whole lot nearer by the scandal.

"This goes right to the heart of why the public are so disillusioned with politics in this country.

"The problems have come since the Conservative Party ceased to be able to get corporate donations and the Labour Party wanted to get rid of its dependence on trade union donations.

"Unless you get up the state funding of parties to a substantial level higher than it is now, the fact is there's no alternative but to go to wealthy men."

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat constitutional affairs spokesman, said reform of the Lords was "long overdue".

"Liberal Democrats have long believed that there should be a predominantly elected House of Lords, and that a second chamber must have adequate powers and responsibilities," he said.

"We will work hard over coming weeks to find a constructive consensus that can deliver a cross-party majority in the Commons, and a modern and secure constitutional settlement fit for the 21st century."