The UK&rsquo;s proposed Assisted Dying Bill has passed a crucial hurdle in the House of Commons, with lawmakers voting 314 to 291 in favour during its third reading on Friday. The bill will now move to the House of Lords for further debate and possible amendment.
Introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill seeks to permit mentally competent adults diagnosed with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less to choose to end their lives legally. The bill includes multiple safeguards to ensure that any such decision is voluntary, informed, and free from external pressure.
Though not a government-sponsored initiative, the private member&rsquo;s bill has attracted strong cross-party support. The margin of approval, however, was tighter than during the second reading in November 2024, where the bill cleared the Commons with a 55-vote majority.
Supporters have hailed the move as a milestone in recognising the right to autonomy and dignity for terminally ill patients. &ldquo;This is about compassion and choice,&rdquo; one proponent stated. Critics, however, continue to raise concerns over the potential for abuse and the impact on vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Care Not Killing, a UK-based group opposing the bill, reiterated its stance that focus should instead remain on improving palliative and end-of-life care services. &ldquo;Our current laws protect vulnerable people and do not need changing,&rdquo; said the group&rsquo;s Chief Executive Gordon Macdonald.
If passed by the Lords, the bill would mark one of the most significant shifts in British social policy since the 1967 Abortion Act. The House of Lords is expected to begin deliberations on the bill in the coming weeks.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]

UK Assisted Dying Bill Clears Commons, Heads to Lords

MPs approve landmark end-of-life legislation in close vote

UK Assisted Dying Bill Clears Commons, Heads to Lords

MPs approve landmark end-of-life legislation in close vote

June 21, 2025 | 01:46 IST