Assisted Dying Bill Introduced in England and Wales

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater will introduce a private member's bill on October 16 to legalize assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales, marking the first debate on this topic in the House of Commons since 2015. The 'Choice at the End of Life for Terminally Ill Adults' bill aims to provide terminally ill individuals with the option to hasten their deaths under specific safeguards, emphasizing dignity and choice. Leadbeater's initiative is inspired by campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen, an advocate for assisted dying. The UK government will remain neutral, allowing MPs a free vote on the proposal. Humanists UK supports the bill, viewing it as a compassionate reform respecting personal choice in end-of-life care. This proposal follows similar legislative attempts in Scotland, where the government contests its legislative competence.