Summary
Both supporters and opponents of the Assisted Dying Bill now agree that it will not become law in the current UK Parliamentary session. The bill is still being debated in the House of Lords, but there is not enough time to complete the process before the session ends in May. Supporters of the bill blame the large number of amendments for slowing its progress.
Key Facts
- The Assisted Dying Bill aims to allow terminally ill people to seek medical help to end their lives.
- The bill is a backbenchers' bill introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater.
- There have been more than 1,200 amendments to the bill, which slows down the debate process.
- The House of Lords is in the 13th of 14 committee debate days but hasn't completed all necessary stages.
- A group of over 100 Labour MPs expressed concerns about not passing the bill.
- The government has stayed neutral on the bill and has suggested a Royal Commission for further examination.
- The use of the Parliament Act to pass the bill in the next session is considered controversial.
- The bill could potentially be reintroduced in the next Parliamentary session by a backbench MP.
