Record-breaking Lords debate brings safe, compassionate assisted dying law closer than ever to reality, as Peers urged to “scrutinise, not frustrate” Bill

Around 180 peers had registered to speak – including the highest ever number of speakers on assisted dying in Westminster and the second highest on any Bill to come before the Lords – prompting the historic Second Reading debate to be split across two consecutive Fridays. The debate will conclude next Friday (19 September), before it is expected to proceed to a Committee of the Whole House for further scrutiny. 

Several peers warned against a late-stage amendment from opponent of the Bill, Baroness Berger,  which would halt the Bill’s progress for several months and risk insufficient time for it to pass through all necessary stages. A number of peers used their speeches to warn against any such procedural delay, with Lord Falconer reminding colleagues “our job is not to frustrate, but to scrutinise”.

The Bill, which would give terminally ill, mentally competent adults in England and Wales the choice of an assisted death under strict safeguards and is backed by more than 70% of the public (YouGov, 19 June 2025), has already passed its Third Reading in the House of Commons after more than 100 hours of detailed scrutiny by MPs and Government ministers. The Government’s own impact assessment has described the framework as the strongest assisted dying law proposed anywhere in the world. The Bill has the support of the public, a growing number of professionals, and now Parliament.

Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said:

“A safe, compassionate law on assisted dying is closer than ever to becoming a reality in this country. In today’s debate, peers from across the political spectrum spoke movingly about the need to give dying people choice and protection at the end of life, as well as rightly focusing on the granular detail of implementation. 

“MPs decisively backed this Bill in June and Peers are now ready and willing to get on with the job of further scrutinising and delivering it. They have recognised the unprecedented care and attention the Commons has given to the Bill over many months, and it is right that the Lords now has the opportunity to apply its full wealth and breadth of experience in strengthening it where possible, while respecting the will of the elected chamber. 

“That such detailed consideration is being given to how this Bill can be safely and effectively implemented demonstrates just how far this movement has come. It is a testament to the countless families who have shared the most painful experiences of their lives to call for change, many of whom were referenced in the Chamber today or gathered on Parliament Square outside. 

“With every day that passes, more dying people and their families are suffering under the status quo. A vote for the status quo is not safe or neutral: it’s a vote for a system that is actively cruel and plainly does not work for dying people and their families who urgently need a safe, compassionate law. We stand firmly alongside them in urging Peers to remain focused on their voices and to continue the serious, respectful scrutiny that this issue demands.”

Over today and next Friday 19, around 180 peers will make contributions to the debate. Among those voicing support for the Bill today were some of the country’s most senior and respected voices from healthcare, policing and the judiciary, including former Director of Public Prosecutions Lord MacDonald, leading KC and constitutional expert Lord Pannick, and former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lord Hogan-Howe.

Lord Alderdice and Baroness Murphy – two of the three psychiatrists appointed to the House of Lords – said they would vote for the Bill, sharing heartbreaking stories of friends or former patients who would have wanted the choice. Other peers expressing support included the Duke of Wellington, Lord Alf Dubs, Baroness Margaret Hodge.

Some peers said they had changed their mind from opposition to support, including Lord Meston, and Lord Forsyth – who tabled an amendment recognising the need for proper time and scrutiny for the Bill, and spoke movingly of his father, who on his deathbed criticised his son for blocking change in the past.

As recently as June, leading pollster YouGov confirmed that the British public is steadfast in its support for legalising assisted dying, with around three-quarters (72%) of people backing both the principle of reform and the specific practicalities and protections that this Bill would establish.

Following decades of debate, it is now widely acknowledged and accepted by experts and Parliamentarians that the status quo is dangerous, forcing dying people to suffer unbearably or take matters into their own hands, alone and in secret. The Bill would replace this with a robust, regulated, evidence-based system based on models proven to work safely in places around the world, including Australia.

Currently, four Parliaments around the British Isles are making progress towards legalising assisted dying for terminally ill adults. In Scotland, Liam McArthur MSP’s Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill has passed its Stage 1 vote with strong cross-party support. On the Isle of Man, the Assisted Dying Bill has cleared all its stages and is now awaiting Royal Assent, with the law expected to come into force as early as 2027. Jersey’s assisted dying bill is expected to be debated later this year, after Assembly Members voted in principle to support changing the law in May 2024.

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For further media requests please contact Tom Steen, Media & Campaigns Officer at 07356135578 or tom.steen@dignityindying.org.uk