Assisted Dying Bill: MPs to Debate Legisaltion with Proposed Amendments

Strategic Insights -

Kim Leadbeater, MP behind the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, has announced plans to propose an amendment that would make it "inappropriate" for assisted dying services to be advertised in England and Wales. This move comes as the Bill returns to the House of Commons for debate and a vote on various amendments. The Bill, which passed by a majority of 55 in November last year, has undergone significant changes, including the dropping of the High Court safeguard and the introduction of expert panels.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kim Leadbeater will propose an amendment to restrict advertising of assisted dying services, making it "inappropriate" for such services to be advertised.
  • The amendment is intended to ensure that pharmacists and other staff will have the right not to participate in the assisted dying process if they do not want to.
  • The Bill has undergone significant changes since November, including the introduction of expert panels and a doubling of the implementation period to a maximum of four years.
  • Labour MP and disability rights advocate Marie Tidball, who previously expressed conditional support for the Bill, has confirmed she will be voting in favour at third reading.
  • Fellow Labour MP James Frith, who opposed the Bill at its first vote last year, has raised concerns around the "unaddressed risk of coercion" and the removal of High Court protections.

Statistics:

  • The Bill passed by a majority of 55 in November last year.
  • The implementation period for an assisted dying service has been doubled to a maximum of four years.
  • The Bill has undergone 6 significant changes since November, including the introduction of expert panels and the removal of the High Court safeguard.

Sources:

  • "MP behind assisted dying Bill confirms plans to restrict advertising." The Telegraph, n.d.
  • "Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: What the changes mean." BBC News, n.d.
  • "Assisted dying: MPs to debate Bill with proposed amendments." Parliament Matters podcast, n.d.