The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill Faces Extensive Scrutiny in the House of Lords
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is a private member's bill introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater in October 2024. It aims to allow adults aged 18 and over who are expected to die within six months to receive help to end their life, subject to various safeguards.
Meanwhile, Scotland is considering a separate bill to legalise assisted dying, which has passed an initial vote at Holyrood but is still undergoing further scrutiny.
In the House of Lords, the bill is currently under a line-by-line examination, now on the fourth day of a scheduled 14-day scrutiny period. The bill remains far from becoming law as Lords have proposed over 1,000 amendments—a record number for a backbench private member's bill.
The large number of amendments has led to claims from supporters that there are delaying tactics at play, while opponents raise concerns about safety and the potential for coercion. Supporters argue that many amendments focus on safeguarding measures. However, Leadbeater has stated that many amendments are unnecessary or even cruel.
The government has maintained a formally neutral stance on the bill, treating it as a matter of conscience and has not allocated government time for its progress. Nonetheless, the House of Lords was granted extra Friday debate sessions to facilitate thorough discussion.
