The House of Lords has agreed to extend the consideration period for the Assisted Dying legislation following accusations of attempts to derail it. Concerns have arisen that the bill may not successfully navigate all required parliamentary procedures within the allocated timeframe. A motion was proposed in the Lords to allow more time for the bill to be reviewed, which received unanimous support after an hour-long debate.
A small group of eight unelected Peers has introduced the majority of the 1,100 amendments that are causing delays in the process. Allegations have surfaced about a potential “sweepstake” among opponents to impede progress, with reports of an email soliciting further amendment suggestions.
Criticism has been directed at the House of Lords for what some perceive as unnecessary delays in advancing the bill. The House of Commons has backed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on two occasions, but progress in the Lords has been sluggish since June 2025, raising concerns about time constraints.
Campaigners have condemned the House of Lords for prolonging the bill’s consideration period, labeling it as filibustering and undemocratic. Lord Falconer, a Labour Peer overseeing the bill, emphasized the importance of timely completion in the Lords to ensure it returns to the Commons for further evaluation.
Despite extensive previous scrutiny in the Commons, the bill’s progress in the Lords has been stymied by the sheer volume of amendments. Calls for additional time to scrutinize the bill have been echoed by several members, citing the need to uphold the reputation of the House.
One advocate, Louise Shackleton, emphasized the significance of the bill in providing compassionate end-of-life options for terminally ill individuals. She highlighted the necessity for fair and thorough debate in Parliament to reach a final decision on the matter.
The decision to grant more time for the bill’s examination was welcomed by supporters, who hope for a productive and respectful deliberation process moving forward. The focus now lies on facilitating constructive discussions and ensuring the bill progresses without undue delay to meet the needs of those affected.