Welsh Parliament decisively votes to ensure equal access to assisted dying in Wales

In a decisive vote this evening, 28 Members of the Senedd (MSs) backed a Legislative Consent Motion (LCM) that will enable assisted dying to be implemented in Wales in line with the proposed legislation, including through NHS Wales, ensuring people across Wales and England have equal access to a future assisted dying service. 23 MSs voted against the motion, and 2 abstained.

Today’s decisive LCM vote comes on the eve of a historic decision in Jersey, where its parliament is expected to vote tomorrow to legalise assisted dying after two previous landslide votes in favour of the principle. This follows the Isle of Man’s decision to legalise assisted dying last year, with its Bill now awaiting Royal Assent.

Earlier this month, the largest poll ever conducted on assisted dying in Wales found strong and consistent public support. The nationally representative Opinium poll of 4,000 adults across Wales, commissioned by Dignity in Dying, found that 72% support the legalisation of assisted dying and just 15% oppose it. Three-quarters (76%) believe that if assisted dying is legal in England, it should also be legal in Wales, while three in five (62%) would like to see the future service delivered through NHS Wales. Support was high across age groups, socio-economic groups and voting intentions.

Keith Williams from South Wales, who is living with cancer and terminal lung disease, welcomed the Senedd’s decision:

“It is absolutely right that people in Wales should have equal access to assisted dying when the new law comes in. 

“I spent my career as a social worker fighting for people’s rights and dignity. Now, facing the end of my own life, I understand more deeply than ever why that matters. The people of Wales are clear: we want this change.

“If the Senedd had voted this motion down, it wouldn’t have stopped the Bill from passing, but it would have forced people like me to travel to England to die, or to rely on private providers at the worst moment of our lives. 

“Three-quarters of people in Wales agree that we need to be treated fairly and equally under this law. I’m pleased that the Senedd has conclusively backed that principle today.”

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

“Today’s vote sends a clear message that the Senedd believes dying people in Wales should have equal access to a legal choice given to those in England. 

“This was not a vote on the principle of assisted dying. It was a vote about fairness.

“By backing this motion, MSs have prevented the real risk of a two-tier system emerging, where some terminally ill people would have been forced to consider travelling potentially long distances away from home, or navigating costly private options at an extremely vulnerable time.

“Whatever the path ahead for the Assisted Dying Bill, today’s decision means that Wales and England can act in lockstep to deliver compassionate, safe and equitable services when the law changes.”

Kim Leadbeater’s MP Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will allow terminally ill, mentally competent adults in England and Wales the option to choose an assisted death within strict safeguards and alongside access to end-of-life care. In June 2025, the Bill was passed in a historic vote in the House of Commons, with a majority of Welsh MPs voting to support both the principle of the reform and its proposed safeguards.

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