Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill Progresses Amidst Parliamentary Scrutiny
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, introduced in October 2024 as a private member's bill by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, seeks to allow adults aged 18 and over who are expected to die within six months to end their own life with safeguards. The bill applies to England and Wales, while Scotland has a separate assisted dying bill that has passed an initial Holyrood vote but remains under further scrutiny.
Following backing from MPs in November 2024 and a committee review of over 500 proposed changes, MPs voted in June 2025 by 23 votes to progress the bill to the House of Lords. In the Lords, approximately one-third of the line-by-line scrutiny has been completed over four of fourteen allotted days. During this period, over 1,000 amendments have been proposed, setting a record for a private member's bill.
The bill's passage depends on both Houses agreeing on the final wording before the next spring session. Should the bill fail to pass in time, it would lapse and need to restart the legislative process. Supporters of the bill criticize the amendments proposed in the Lords as delaying tactics, describing some as unnecessary or even cruel. They argue it would be undemocratic for unelected peers to block legislation with substantial support in the elected House of Commons.
The government has maintained a neutral stance based on conscience, opting not to instruct MPs or peers on voting. However, it has allocated extra Friday debate sessions in the Lords to facilitate consideration. The use of the Parliament Act to bypass the Lords is viewed as unlikely and unprecedented for a private member's bill.
