About our Assisted Dying news
Latest news on assisted dying, covering historic Commons vote backing the Terminally Ill Adults Bill, proposed safeguards, opposition and support across England and Wales.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons on 29 November 2024 with 330 MPs voting in favour and 275 against, marking the furthest stage reached by any assisted dying legislation in England and Wales. The bill would allow terminally ill adults with less than six months to live to request medical assistance to end their lives, subject to strict safeguards including approval from two doctors and a High Court judge.
The legislation includes multiple layers of protection, requiring patients to be over 18, mentally competent, and make two separate declarations of their wish to die. The bill mandates a minimum 14-day reflection period after court approval and ensures all assistance must be self-administered by the patient. Healthcare professionals would be protected from prosecution while retaining the right to conscientiously object to participation. Former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Rishi Sunak supported the bill, while Gordon Brown, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss opposed it.
Public sentiment continues to favor reform, with recent polls showing strong support for regulated assisted dying. High-profile advocates include broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen, who has terminal cancer and has joined Switzerland's Dignitas clinic. The bill has sparked intense debate, with Labour frontbenchers divided - Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Health Secretary Wes Streeting opposing the measure, while Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Prime Minister Keir Starmer voted in favour.
The debate has evolved significantly since Diane Pretty's landmark legal challenge in 2002. While assisted suicide remains illegal under the 1961 Suicide Act, carrying a maximum 14-year prison sentence, approximately 46 Britons travel abroad annually for assisted dying. The bill now faces further parliamentary scrutiny, including possible amendments, as it progresses through remaining stages.
Our NewsNow feed on assisted dying is updated constantly with the most relevant headlines from reliable sources, ensuring you get comprehensive coverage of this historic legislative process. Whether you're a healthcare professional, policymaker, campaigner, or concerned citizen, this feed is your essential source for staying informed about the ongoing debate around assisted dying in the UK, including legislative developments, medical perspectives, ethical discussions, and international comparisons.