UK Parliament (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The assisted dying bill in England and Wales has cleared all stages in the House of Commons and has now entered the House of Lords for further scrutiny with a two-day debate underway. The bill, which proposes allowing terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live to apply for assisted dying, faces both support and opposition in the Lords, with a final vote and complete passage still pending amid concerns over time limits and safeguards.
Progress Through the House of Commons
As reported by Political Correspondent at BBC, the bill passed the Commons with a vote of 314 to 291 in June 2025, a majority of 23 votes after earlier approval in principle by a margin of 55 votes. This followed extensive debate with strong opinions on both sides. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, the bill’s sponsor, has championed the legislation throughout the process. Despite the approval, the bill is not yet law. It must now navigate the House of Lords, where debates and amendments will shape its final form.
Debate and Scrutiny in the House of Lords
The House of Lords began a marathon, two-day Second Reading debate on 12 and 19 September 2025, as detailed by the Hansard Society. Over 200 Lords lined up to discuss the bill. Lord Falconer of Thornton, a former Labour Justice Secretary and leading advocate in the Lords, stated confidently that whilst the primary decision on assisted dying lies with the Commons, the Lords’ role is focused on detailed scrutiny and refinement of the bill. He expressed optimism about guiding the bill through this chamber, emphasising the need to “honour the primacy of the Commons” in the matter.
However, significant opposition remains within the Lords. Baroness Finlay, a palliative care physician, voiced to BBC News that the House of Lords must not simply rubber-stamp what was passed in the Commons, especially given unaddressed amendments meant to improve the bill. Opponents point to unresolved “massive problems” needing further scrutiny before the bill advances. Some Lords believe the narrow Commons majority grants them a duty to thoroughly examine the legislation, which could delay its passage.
Conservative Lord Forsyth of Drumlean shared a personal perspective, revealing his change of heart on the issue after witnessing his father’s suffering from cancer. He urged peers to consider the dignity offered by assisted dying. On the other hand, former Prime Minister Theresa May expressed concerns about inadequate safeguards and potential pressure on vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities and chronic illnesses, warning about a “normalisation of suicide” with broadening of the law over time.
Potential Challenges and Timing Concerns
One of the greatest uncertainties about the bill’s future is parliamentary time. As the bill is a private members’ bill, it must complete all stages within the current parliamentary session, which typically lasts about a year. It took nearly seven months to pass the Commons. The current session started 11 months ago, raising fears the Lords may not have enough time to fully debate and complete the bill’s passage before Parliament is prorogued or dissolved. MPs have only two more Fridays available for debating private members’ bills unless the government allocates extra time.
Peers opposing assisted dying could also attempt to slow progress through numerous amendments. Unlike in the Commons, where a “closure motion” can force a vote, the Lords have no such mechanism, potentially prolonging the process and increasing the risk that the bill times out without becoming law. The Commons and Lords may engage in “ping pong” over amendments, causing further delays.
What Happens After the Bill?
Should the bill pass all stages in the Lords and receive Royal Assent to become law, implementation will still take time. Originally projected to allow the first legal assisted deaths by late 2027, amendments have extended the implementation timeline to as late as 2029. The bill includes provisions for a new expert body to approve assisted deaths, replacing earlier proposals for High Court involvement. This will ensure safeguards but also lengthen preparatory phases.
Key Points
- As reported by BBC Political Correspondent, Leadbeater highlighted the need for a compassionate legal framework for terminally ill adults.
- Lord Falconer described existing laws as “confused” and “inflicting terrible hardship,” emphasising the bill’s potential improvements.
- Baroness Finlay urged more amendments for protection, highlighting concerns from medical and disability communities.
- Lord Forsyth recounted his father’s last wishes, underscoring a change in perspective among some peers.
- Former Prime Minister Theresa May warned of risks to vulnerable populations and societal impacts if the bill were passed without sufficient safeguards.
The bill represents a profound shift in UK assisted dying policy, edging closer to law amid strong debates in both Houses of Parliament. Its final outcome remains uncertain as it confronts political, ethical, and procedural hurdles in the remaining legislative stages.