The rate of debate on the Assisted Dying Bill has not progressed sufficiently for the Bill to pass, with only three groups of amendments, representing 50 amendments, debated today. While this is more than in the previous two debates, seven amendments on the first and 21 on the second, this still isn’t enough to cover the over 1,139 amendments tabled. Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision are disappointed that a small group of peers are putting the Bill in jeopardy by tabling a large number of amendments, but also debating them too slowly for the Bill to pass.
This group of peers is also dominating the debate. In the three debates so far, a small number of opponents have made multiple long contributions, with Baroness Finlay of Llandaff speaking for almost a tenth of the entire debate (one hour six minutes). This is closely followed by Baroness Coffey (47 minutes), Lord Harper (39 minutes) and Baroness Lawlor (33 minutes). These calculations do not include interventions, where peers interrupt others, points of order, the Bill sponsor or the Health Minister. Conservative peers have spoken for 40% of the entire debate.
Lord Kennedy of Southwark, the chief Government whip, said at the end of the debate: ‘We have completed three groups of amendments, which is less than I hoped for… I think that all noble Lords need to reflect on that before we resume our considerations of this Bill next Friday.’
Analysis by Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision has shown that seven of the most vocal opponents to the Bill have put forward over 600 amendments between them. While some of the unworkable amendments have been withdrawn, such as Baroness Coffey’s proposal to ban applicants from going on holiday, others, such as the requirement that all applicants, including men, undergo a pregnancy test, remain.
The Bill must pass all stages in the Lords and Commons before Spring 2026, or it fails. At the current rate of debate, it will not pass.
Nathan Stilwell, Assisted Dying Campaigner at Humanists UK, said:
‘When an unelected chamber stalls a bill backed by the elected House of Commons and the public, it does more than delay legislation; it undermines the very principle of representative democracy. This is not scrutiny; it is sabotage disguised as procedure.
‘Every procedural delay, every stalling tactic, traps people in a system that denies them agency and compassion at the moment they need it most. The status quo forces suffering, strips families of dignity, and exports choice to foreign countries. It is not neutral; it is actively harmful. To preserve this system in the name of process is to ignore the real human cost paid by those who cannot afford to wait.’
Dave Sowry, Board Member of My Death, My Decision, said:
‘It was Groundhog day in the House of Lords today. Despite a growing chorus of pleas to peers to stop putting barriers in the way of those seeking a compassionate death, the same very small group of peers ignored these pleas. It’s obvious that the concerted effort to block its progress by these peers, who are all against the Bill as a matter of principle, continues.’
‘They ignore the perspective of those the Bill is designed for, people at the end of their lives. Its aim is to improve the quality of those last weeks, and having accompanied my wife to Dignitas for an assisted death, I know how precious those weeks are.
‘The process must be as simple as possible for the vast majority of straightforward cases, whilst being robust and safe for the remaining tiny minority of complex cases. This small group of peers must not be allowed to undermine the will of Parliament and the hopes and wishes of the public.’
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan@humanists.uk or phone 07456 200033. (media only
Humanists UK is making the following photos available to the media to use – credit to Simona Sermont/Humanists UK – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision have people and their loved ones who would be affected by this change available for the press.
If you have been affected by the current assisted dying legislation, and want to use your story to support a change in the law, please email campaigns@humanists.uk.
Humanists defend the right of each individual to live by their own personal values, and the freedom to make decisions about their own life so long as this does not result in harm to others. Humanists do not share the attitudes to death and dying held by some religious believers, in particular that the manner and time of death are for a deity to decide, and that interference in the course of nature is unacceptable. We firmly uphold the right to life but we recognise that this right carries with it the right of each individual to make their own judgement about whether their life should be prolonged in the face of pointless suffering.
We recognise that any assisted dying law must contain strong safeguards and the international evidence from countries where assisted dying is legal shows that safeguards can be effective. We also believe that the choice of assisted dying should not be considered an alternative to palliative care, but should be offered together as in many other countries.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.
My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.
Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision are both members of the Assisted Dying Coalition, along with Friends at the End, Humanist Society Scotland, and End of Life Choices Jersey.