Assisted dying bill: Everything you need to know about the new proposal being introduced today

A landmark bill proposing the UK legalises assisted dying was formally introduced to the House of Commons today - here is everything you need to know about the proposed law and the debate surrounding the controversial issue

A significant bill suggesting the UK legalise assisted dying was officially presented to the House of Commons today. The bill will be debated by MPs on November 29, marking the first time this contentious issue has been voted on in the Commons in nearly a decade.

Dame Esther Rantzen's advocacy on the matter has thrust the topic into the limelight - she argues that individuals should have autonomy over their own deaths. Supporters of assisted dying have consistently cautioned that terminally ill individuals should have the right to end unbearable suffering at the end of their lives.

However, opponents argue that the Government should prioritise improving the country's palliative care system and express concerns that sick individuals might feel compelled to end their lives if they perceive themselves as a burden to their families. The proposed legislation was introduced on Wednesday, but there is a complex process to follow, reports the Mirror.

Here are the answers to all your queries about what's happening with assisted dying in Parliament.

What exactly is assisted dying?

The definition and terminology used can vary depending on who you ask. Advocates for change, such as Dignity in Dying, state that assisted dying gives a person with a terminal condition the choice to control their death if they decide their suffering is unbearable.

They argue that, in addition to good care, terminally ill and mentally competent adults deserve the choice to control the timing and manner of their death.

However, Care Not Killing, a campaign group, employs terms like "assisted suicide" and "euthanasia" in making their case. They suggest that the primary goal should be "promoting more and better palliative care", rather than pushing for changes in the law.

They argue that adopting laws for assisted dying may "place pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives for fear of being a financial, emotional or care burden upon others". The group expresses concern that particularly those who are disabled, elderly, sick, or depressed could feel at heightened risk.

What's the status of assisted suicide legally?

Assisted suicide is illegal across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, attracting penalties of up to 14 years' imprisonment. In Scotland, while not explicitly outlined as a specific crime, aiding someone's death can result in charges of murder among other serious offences.

The conversation about this sensitive topic has been reignited recently due to the public efforts of Dame Esther Rantzen, who last year disclosed her stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis and membership with Switzerland's Dignitas organisation. Reports from Dignity in Dying highlight that, due to the lack of an assisted dying law on home turf, a UK citizen travels to Dignitas approximately every eight days to commit suicide.

What are the recent Westminster developments?

Labour leader Keir Starmer had previously voiced his support for a parliamentary vote on legalising assisted dying ahead of the July general election. In keeping with his commitment, a private member's bill championing this cause is now being put forth by one of his MPs.

On Wednesday, Kim Leadbeater officially presented her bill - the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - aimed at providing end-of-life choices for terminally ill individuals. Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle confirmed that the Bill's Second Reading will take place on Friday, November 29.

On this day, it will be debated and potentially face an initial vote, with MPs voting based on their personal beliefs rather than party affiliations. Should it successfully pass this critical stage, it will then proceed to the committee stage where MPs can propose amendments, before undergoing further examination and votes in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

What does the bill contain?

Ms Leadbeater's bill is applicable only to England and Wales. The proposed law would empower adults nearing the end of their lives to choose to hasten their deaths if they so desire, while also offering stronger protections for them and those they leave behind.

It is understood that a judge and two doctors will need to agree that terminally ill patients can be assisted to end their lives under the proposed legislation.

The Spen Valley MP stated she would consult on the specifics to ensure no one is coerced into an assisted death against their will, and to guarantee that calls to enhance palliative care are not compromised. The legislation is expected to be restricted to those who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have between six to 12 months left to live.

Has this issue previously been voted on at Westminster?

Almost a decade has passed without such an occurrence. In 2015, the Assisted Dying Bill, which would have permitted certain terminally ill adults to request medical assistance to end their lives, was presented to the Commons and subsequently rejected by MPs. The vote saw 330 MPs opposing the change in law, while 118 MPs supported it.

During the 2021/2022 session, a similar Bill was proposed in the House of Lords, reaching its second reading in the chamber. Additionally, a debate on assisted dying took place in Westminster Hall in July 2022.

Assisted dying is viewed as a matter of conscience for MPs due to its divisive nature, hence political parties do not enforce a specific voting direction.

Is there a guarantee that MPs will vote on the bill next month?

The answer is no. Bills of this nature are referred to as private member's bills (PMBs) and are deliberated during Friday sittings. The time allocated for these discussions ranges from 9.30am to 2.30pm. If the debate extends beyond 2.30pm, it is postponed and the bill drops to the bottom of the list, making further progress highly unlikely.

However, a closure motion can be introduced to end the debate and prompt a vote. This motion can be proposed at any point during the proceedings.

On Fridays, MPs who wish to move such a motion typically do so around 1pm. If the motion is approved, the House then votes on whether to give the bill a second reading. If it's rejected, the debate continues and the bill is unlikely to progress.

Bills of this nature seldom become law without Government backing. However, Mr Starmer has indicated his personal support for the move.

What are the public's views?

Research conducted by the Policy Institute and the Complex Life and Death Decisions group at King's College London (KCL) in September has revealed that nearly two-thirds of individuals in England and Wales are in favour of legalising assisted dying for terminally ill adults within the next five years.

However, the study also highlighted the fluidity of public opinion, noting that some supporters might reconsider their stance if they believed someone had been coerced into an assisted death or had made the decision due to inadequate care options.

The survey indicated that 63% of participants want assisted dying legalised in the forthcoming five years, while one in five (20%) oppose it. Earlier this year, a separate poll conducted for the Mirror discovered that a significant majority of Britons (71%) are proponents of amending the law.

On the other hand, campaigners from Care Not Killing have interpreted these findings as evidence of waning public backing for what they call "assisted suicide" over the last ten years, drawing attention to the concerns regarding individuals who may feel pressured into ending their lives.