UK Parliament approves assisted dying bill

Supporters of the bill say people with a terminal diagnosis must be given a choice to relieve their suffering

In a landmark moment for social reform in the United Kingdom, the House of Commons has narrowly approved the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, commonly known as the Assisted Dying Bill, by a vote of 314 to 291. The legislation, which applies specifically to England and Wales, would give mentally competent adults who are terminally ill with six months or less to live the legal right to end their lives with medical assistance. It marks a significant shift in British end-of-life policy and now heads to the House of Lords for further scrutiny and potential amendments.

Dignity in Dying campaigners celebrate after the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was passed in the House of Commons, in London, Friday, June 20, 2025.

Under the current law, assisting someone in ending their life in the UK can result in criminal prosecution and up to 14 years in prison. The proposed bill aims to change that by establishing a structured and highly regulated process. Patients would be required to demonstrate that they are of sound mind and make a voluntary, well-informed decision. Approval must come from two doctors, along with a psychiatrist, senior legal authority, and social worker. Additionally, changes to the bill since its initial reading now mandate independent advocates for individuals with learning disabilities, autism, or mental health conditions, as well as the formation of a disability advisory board.

Importantly, the bill only permits assisted suicide, which differs from euthanasia—where a medical professional administers a life-ending drug directly. In assisted suicide, the patient must self-administer the fatal medication, even though they are medically supported through the process.

The issue sparked intense debate in Parliament, with MPs allowed a "free vote"—meaning they could vote according to personal conscience rather than party lines. The chamber was notably full during the Friday session as members reflected on personal testimonies, ethical dilemmas, and legal concerns. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who introduced the bill, emphasized that this is not about choosing between life and death, but about “how terminally ill people die,” framing it as a matter of dignity, compassion, and autonomy.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer supported the bill, while Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who leads the Opposition, voted against it. Tom Tugendhat, a Conservative MP and former minister, harshly criticized the bill, saying it was “wrapped in euphemisms and coddled in warm words that mask a dark truth,” insisting that it should be called “assisted suicide”, the term used by many critics.

Outside Parliament, emotions also ran high. Dave Sowry, whose terminally ill wife died with the help of Dignitas—a Swiss non-profit that assists people seeking to end their lives—expressed relief during a live BBC interview as he learned of the bill’s approval. In 2024 alone, 37 Britons traveled to Dignitas for this purpose, a journey that costs an average of £12,000 (approx. $16,100) and is often emotionally and logistically difficult. Conservative MP Peter Bedford pointed out this inequality, arguing the wealthy can seek dignity in death abroad, while poorer patients face criminal risks or suffer in silence at home.

However, opposition to the bill remains substantial and multifaceted. Some critics argue that vulnerable individuals, particularly those with disabilities, could be coerced—subtly or overtly—into ending their lives. Tanni Grey-Thompson, a Paralympic medallist and disabled member of the House of Lords, voiced concern that financial pressures in the National Health Service (NHS) and gaps in palliative care might reduce the range of real choices available to disabled people. “I’m really worried… that the only choice they have is to end their lives,” she warned.

Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft withheld her support despite not opposing assisted dying in principle, stating she would only back such legislation once “the vast majority of disabled people” were in favor. “Let’s fix our NHS, social care and wider society first,” she urged.

Among other concerns, critics noted that the latest version of the bill no longer requires a judge’s sign-off, a safeguard that was included in the November draft. As a result, several MPs who had supported the bill initially reversed their stance. The vote margin also narrowed from 55 (330–275) in November to just 23 votes in the final reading. Advocacy group Care Not Killing called the bill “deeply flawed and dangerous,” criticizing the limited time MPs had—less than five minutes per amendment—to evaluate over 130 proposed changes.

Logistical questions remain unresolved, such as whether the process would be integrated into the NHS or delivered via independent third-party services. The bill will not apply in Northern Ireland or Scotland, with Scotland currently reviewing its own assisted dying legislation, which passed an initial vote in May 2025.

Public opinion, however, leans strongly in favor. Surveys suggest a majority of UK citizens support assisted dying. Sarah Wootton, CEO of the advocacy group Dignity in Dying, called the vote “a clear message” that Parliament is aligning with public sentiment and that “change is coming.” Though there is no official implementation timeline, the legislation requires rollout within four years of becoming law.

Globally, the UK is joining a growing list of jurisdictions legalizing some form of assisted dying. Countries such as Switzerland (since 1942), Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Austria, and Luxembourg already allow the practice under specific conditions. In the United States, 10 states permit physician-assisted dying, and 17 others are considering related legislation this year. Canada’s MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying) program, introduced in 2016, was further liberalized in 2021 to include non-terminal conditions, and it is now debating inclusion of mental illness.

Closer to home, the Isle of Man became the first place in the British Isles to legalize assisted dying in March 2025, allowing terminally ill patients with up to 12 months to live the right to choose death with medical support.

Meanwhile, France is also considering reform. A bill supported by President Emmanuel Macron, which allows assisted dying under restricted conditions, was approved by the National Assembly and now awaits review by the Senate.

As debates continue both in Parliament and across society, the passage of the Assisted Dying Bill marks a pivotal shift in the UK's approach to end-of-life care—one that attempts to balance ethical complexity, individual autonomy, and the duty of care owed by a modern welfare state.

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