Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

I want to thank the hundreds of constituents who have emailed or written to me on this issue, many passing on their very personal reasons for either supporting or opposing the bill. I understand this is an very difficult and emotive issue for many, that will have major ramifications for how we treat the terminally ill in the future. After taking listening to advice from experts, and reading the numerous emails, postcards, and letters I received, I carefully decided to vote in favour of the bill, which was passed by the House of Commons on 20 June 2025. 

The bill is now receiving extensive further scrutiny from the House of Lords. I understand the Lords are pessimistic about the bill making it through the current parliamentary session that ends in May. For those who want to see the bill enter into force as soon as possible, this wait must feel bitterly disappointing. I appreciate that for many terminally ill people, the slow progress of the bill prevents them from making important decisions about their futures.  

Back in November, I welcomed the initiative of the Government Chief Whip in the House of Lords to have peers sit on an additional ten Fridays to allow more progress to be made on the bill. Nonetheless, due to the sheer number of amendments that have been put forward for debate, this measure does not look to be sufficient. I am disappointed by this outcome. The House of Lords has a valuable and independent role in scrutinising legislation, and this bill demands the upmost consideration. I do not support, however, any deliberate action to delay or sabotage the progress of this bill.   

I understand the bill’s backers are taking advice on how best to expedite the progress of a future backbench bill in the new parliamentary session.