Assisted dying bill for England and Wales passes through House of Commons
June 26, 2025
We are delighted that an assisted dying bill for terminally ill people in England and Wales has passed through the House of Commons. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill won its final Commons vote with 314 in favour, 291 against.
It was a historic day in the campaign for moderate, rational, compassionate assisted dying laws on Friday 20 June 2025, as MPs at Westminster voted to legalise assisted dying. The assisted dying bill proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater does not yet become law. It will now progress to the House of Lords, which will further scrutinise it. However, Friday’s vote makes it more likely than ever before that England and Wales will have legalised assisted dying for the terminally ill within the current parliamentary term.
Although the bill does not apply in Scotland, Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill passed its first vote at Holyrood on 13 May. We expect a final vote on Liam’s bill before the end of this year. Westminster’s bravery in backing choice and compassion at the end of life sets a significant precedent for Scottish lawmakers to follow.
Fraser Sutherland, CEO of Humanist Society Scotland, said:
“This is a historic step for England and Wales. There is a lot of work to be done yet, but we trust in our allies at Humanists UK and the other groups and individuals who have campaigned tirelessly for choice and compassion at the end of life for decades. Lawmakers in Westminster have now set a precedent for us to follow in Scotland. MSPs must be bold, brave, and compassionate. They must back assisted dying for the terminally ill in the final, crucial vote at Holyrood later this year.”
Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, said:
“The House of Commons has taken a historic step towards meeting the aspirations of the public, who overwhelmingly support having choice, dignity, and compassion at the end of their lives. We welcome this and now look forward to working with Lords on the legislation.
“MPs have finally recognised the fact that assisted dying is already happening in this country. People are travelling to Switzerland if they have the money and mobility to do so. Others are dying in traumatic circumstances by suicide. Many more are suffering greatly, even while receiving the best possible care. Today, we are a significant step closer to ending that unnecessary and cruel suffering and MPs should be commended for taking this step.”
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