House of Lords Extends Debate Time for Assisted Dying Bill

The legislative process for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has encountered procedural challenges, prompting the House of Lords to extend the time allocated for its debate. The Bill must complete all parliamentary stages before the end of the current session, which is expected in spring 2026.

The Bill, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater in October 2024, aims to address end-of-life options for terminally ill adults. It passed its second reading in the House of Commons in June 2025 and is currently under detailed scrutiny in the House of Lords committee stage.

During committee consideration, members of the House of Lords have tabled more than 1,100 amendments. This high volume of proposed changes has contributed to lengthy proceedings and extended debate times.

In the first four committee sessions, nearly 16 hours were spent discussing the Bill, but only 10 out of 84 amendment groups were reviewed. The pace of progress has led to concerns about whether the Bill can complete its passage within the required timeframe.

What the numbers show

• More than 1,100 amendments have been tabled in committee
• Peers spent nearly 16 hours on the first four debates
• Only 10 out of 84 amendment groups were considered in that time

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater stated that, based on the current rate of progress, the Bill could take until 2029 to complete its journey through Parliament. However, the Bill must pass all stages before the end of the current parliamentary session to become law.

The House of Lords responded to these challenges by passing a motion to allocate additional time for debate. This procedural step is intended to allow for more thorough consideration of the numerous amendments and the Bill’s provisions.

If the Bill does not complete all required stages by spring 2026, it will not proceed to become law. The timeline is therefore a critical factor in the ongoing parliamentary process for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

The extended debate and high number of amendments reflect the complexity and detailed scrutiny involved in the legislative process for this Bill. Parliamentary procedures continue to shape the pace and outcome of its consideration.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.