Morning, and welcome to our UK politics blog. The assisted dying bill is back in the Commons today, where MPs will vote on a proposal that would allow adults in England and Wales with less than six months to live to seek medical assistance to end their lives.
MPs had previously voted through the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, brought forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, in June 2025, but it foundered in the House of Lords earlier this year after opponents tabled more than 1,280 amendments. Prime minister Andy Burnham has confirmed he will not vote, saying he does not want to “unduly influence the debate”.
Supporters of assisted dying demonstrate outside parliament in April 2026. Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing/Getty ImagesThe bill has been revived by Labour MP Lauren Edwards, who said there was “a real human cost to the delay in passing this legislation and correcting the injustices and cruelty of the current law”. Two Labour MPs have also warned of “extraordinary risks” if ministers try to force the assisted dying bill using an obscure parliamentary procedure, should it continue to be blocked by the Lords. My colleagues Jessica Elgot and Peter Walker have the full report here:
Read moreIf the bill is voted through, it will then go through further debate and possible amendments before MPs vote on it again at third reading. It would then move to the Lords for scrutiny before returning to the Commons.
If the bill passes, the UK would join European countries such as Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland, as well as Australia, Canada and the US, where it is legal in 13 states.
The Commons debate begins at 9.30am, with a vote scheduled for 2.30pm. We’ll bring you the latest developments throughout the day.
