Full Breakdown
Reintroduction of the Assisted Dying Bill in England and Wales
6/17/2026, 8:40:49 AM
Reintroduction of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
Labour MP Lauren Edwards (Rochester and Strood) is re-introducing the bill that passed Commons in June 2025 but was blocked Lords after 1,000 amendments. Edwards says she will invoke Parliament Act—used only seven times in the past century—to limit Lords’ ability to block a second Commons passage.
Background
The bill would let adults >= 18 with a prognosis of death within six months request assisted death. The Commons approved it narrowly in June 2025; the government stayed neutral despite opposition from cabinet ministers including the then health secretary Wes Streeting. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer voted in favour and promised broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen parliamentary time for debate. In April, Lords delayed the measure until the session ended, causing it to lapse.
Key Players
Co-sponsors include Kim Leadbeater, Marie Tidball, Alex Davies-Jones, Peter Bedford, Andrew George, Kit Malthouse, Peter Prinsley, Simon Opher, Josh Babarinde, Sian Berry and Liz Saville-Roberts. Senior voices include Lord Carlile of Berriew, Ashley Dalton, Andy Burnham, Kemi Badenoch and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Numbers
Why It Matters
Supporters say the bill restores choice; critics warn it could pressure vulnerable patients and strain NHS and hospice services, raising concerns.
Official Responses
Lord Carlile called the draft “not robust” but offered constructive cooperation. Ashley Dalton warned of “hand-sweeping unchecked powers over life and death and our NHS to future governments.” Andy Burnham said he would “probably vote in favour of the principle of assisted dying” but stressed hospice funding must be secured. Kemi Badenoch asked “what kind of people sit on the Labour backbenches?” while Sir Keir Starmer’s vote was noted; the government stayed neutral.
Opposition
The Royal College of Psychiatrists, disability charities and hospice organisations have voiced concerns that the bill could pressure vulnerable people. Disability campaigner Marie Tidball, now a co-sponsor, faced criticism for past language; Edwards apologised and cited her broader disability-rights record.
Verbatim Quotes
- “finish the job” — Lauren Edwards, Labour MP
- “I would ask them to do the really important job that they are there to do and that they do admirably and that is to refine the legislation the House of Commons has introduced,” — Lord Carlile of Berriew
- “hand sweeping unchecked powers over life and death and our NHS to future governments” — Ashley Dalton, Labour MP
- “what kind of people sit on the Labour backbenches” — Kemi Badenoch, Conservative leader
Timeline
- June 2025: Bill passes Commons narrowly.
- April 2025: Lords block bill after >1,000 amendments; it lapses.
- June 2026: Edwards announces re-introduction; first reading scheduled for Wednesday.
- Early September 2026: Second-reading debate planned.
What’s Next
The bill will face a first reading, then a second-reading debate in September. If the Lords reject it again, MPs could invoke the Parliament Act. Parallel discussions on hospice funding and safeguarding are expected to shape any amendments.
