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Written by Emily Cross.
18 minute read
Article reviewed by Paul Jameson, Co-Founder of Aura on May 30, 2025.
You may have heard about the UK’s Assisted Dying Bill in the news and wondered what it means for people with a terminal diagnosis and their loved ones. You may even be learning about it because you, or someone close to you, has received a terminal diagnosis, making this an issue that touches close to home.
After almost two years in Parliament, the bill for England and Wales was voted down by MPs in September 2026, and assisted dying remains illegal across the UK. But the debate hasn’t gone away: Jersey and the Isle of Man have both now passed their own laws, and campaigners on both sides say the conversation will continue. Whether you’re personally affected, a medical professional, or simply curious, this article explains what the bill proposed, what happened to it, and what it means for patients, families and society.
Key takeaways:
The Assisted Dying Bill, formally the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, was a private member’s bill introduced by Kim Leadbeater MP in October 2024. It aimed to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to seek medical help to end their own lives, as long as strict criteria were met. Its intention was to give people autonomy in their final months, with safeguards designed to prevent misuse.
In the UK, assisted dying, sometimes called ‘assisted suicide’ or ‘medical aid in dying’, remains a contentious topic, fraught with moral and legal challenges. Under the Suicide Act 1961, encouraging or assisting a suicide in England and Wales is a criminal offence. While countries like Switzerland and Canada permit assisted dying, the UK still prohibits it. As a result, some terminally ill people travel abroad for help, while others endure prolonged suffering at home.
Passionate voices in the conversation may lead you to think that assisted dying is the same as euthanasia. They’re related, but not identical. Assisted dying enables a terminally ill person to voluntarily end their own life, typically by taking a prescribed substance themselves. Euthanasia means a doctor actively administers a life-ending intervention. The bill focused solely on assisted dying.
The bill would only have applied in England and Wales. Health is often devolved, but assisted dying is treated as a matter of criminal justice, which for England and Wales is decided at Westminster.
The rest of the British Isles has taken different paths:
The version MPs passed in June 2025 (and which was reintroduced, almost unchanged, in 2026) set out specific eligibility and procedural requirements.
The bill would only have applied to adults aged 18 or over with the mental capacity to make the decision, who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and were expected to die within six months.
They would also need to have been ordinarily resident in England or Wales for at least 12 months, and registered with a GP practice in England or Wales. A mental illness or disability alone would not have qualified: a person needed to be terminally ill, not just disabled or mentally ill.
“Terminally ill” meant having an inevitably progressive illness that can’t be reversed by treatment, with death reasonably expected within six months. A person wouldn’t be considered terminally ill just because they had voluntarily stopped eating or drinking; eligibility depended on the illness itself.
Early drafts of the bill required a High Court judge to approve each request. In 2025, MPs replaced this with a new system of expert panels, overseen by a Voluntary Assisted Dying Commissioner. The process would have run in this order:
At every stage, doctors would need to make sure the person had been fully informed about palliative, hospice and other care options. If they had any doubt about the person’s capacity, they would have to refer them to a specialist, such as a psychiatrist.
The Assisted Dying Bill sparked extensive debate, reflecting deeply held beliefs about life, death and autonomy. It shone a bright light on differences of opinion across the UK, especially when it comes to beliefs on death and funerals in religion.
Supporters argue that assisted dying upholds personal autonomy and compassion for the suffering of others. They say it allows people with a terminal illness to avoid unnecessary pain and prolonged agony, and that it’s an empathetic approach for people who feel stuck in their diagnosis.
Many believe that assisted dying lets people die on their own terms, keeping their dignity and avoiding a potentially drawn-out, painful decline. It can spare them the distress of losing control over bodily functions, or of becoming heavily dependent on others, both physically and financially.
Supporters also emphasise the psychological comfort that can come from having control over your own end-of-life journey. When assisted dying is an option, it can offer peace of mind to everyone involved, even if the person ultimately chooses not to go ahead.
Another perspective supporters point to is that of family members. Watching a loved one suffer is deeply distressing for families and friends. Assisted dying offers the chance of a calmer, more considered and planned goodbye. Families can also draw on the support of a death doula, who can help weave ceremony into the day, or even plan a celebration of life. Having the option can also help with opening up conversations about dying and how to say goodbye.
Aura’s founder Paul Jameson is one such supporter of assisted dying. After being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, it became a passionate topic for Paul, and his drive to start Aura was spurred by what he saw as a lacking system in the UK.
In his book Very Much Alive, Paul dedicates an entire chapter to his beliefs on assisted dying, with one section that reads:
“Recently, I asked my three children whether they would support me in a decision to end my life if my suffering, both physical and mental, became unbearable. All three said yes. It would be a win-win for everyone concerned. I wouldn’t have to suffer; and my family wouldn’t have to endure watching me do it. Ultimately, I believe, they would respect me for taking this difficult decision, for being proactive and taking control of the end of my life, just as I have throughout the rest of it.
“I love the eulogy that M delivers for James Bond at the end of No Time To Die. ‘The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.’ That sums up my attitude to life and death perfectly.”
Critics of assisted dying raise concerns about the sanctity of life, fearing a slippery slope towards normalising early death. There’s also concern that legalising assisted dying could mean fewer resources for end-of-life comfort measures such as palliative care, shifting focus away from developing better treatments and support. They argue that more weight should be placed on improving palliative and hospice care, and that with better research and support, the desire for assisted dying could be significantly reduced. This was a key argument in the September 2026 Commons debate, where several MPs said end-of-life care must improve first.
Despite the decline of religion in the UK, religious morality drives much of the opposition. Many faiths view life and death as under divine authority, making assisted dying morally unacceptable. For people with this outlook, human life is inherently sacred and shouldn’t be ended early, whatever the circumstances.
Opponents also worry about potential misuse affecting vulnerable people, such as older people, disabled people, or those in financial difficulty, who could feel pressured into choosing assisted dying by family or society. Some cite the medical principle of “do no harm”, arguing that helping someone die conflicts with the role of healthcare professionals and could erode trust in doctors.
Those with a more neutral view focus on the wider impact on society: whether assisted dying fits with changing attitudes to end-of-life care, and whether health services are equipped to provide it. They tend to take a nuanced approach, focusing on evidence, inclusivity and careful consideration of everyone involved.
Neutral observers recognise the importance of personal autonomy, but stress the need for strong safeguards to protect vulnerable people from coercion or misuse, such as those living with dementia or other cognitive conditions. They may suggest that while assisted dying could bring relief to some, any framework must be fair and accessible.
Like opponents, people with a neutral outlook often question whether healthcare professionals are adequately trained and supported to handle the ethical and practical challenges of assisted dying. Many argue for greater investment in palliative and hospice care, alongside or instead of assisted dying, and for broad public and professional discussion so that any future law reflects a wide range of views.
The bill came closer to becoming law than any previous attempt, but it was ultimately rejected by MPs in September 2026. Assisted dying remains illegal in England and Wales.
16 October 2024 – Kim Leadbeater MP introduces the bill
29 November 2024 – MPs back the bill at second reading, 330 votes to 275
2025 – A committee of MPs scrutinises the bill; the High Court approval stage is replaced with expert panels
20 June 2025 – MPs pass the bill at third reading, 314 votes to 291
September 2025 – The House of Lords debates the bill at second reading, with Lord Falconer as its sponsor
From 14 November 2025 – Lords committee stage begins, with more than 1,200 amendments tabled
April 2026 – The parliamentary session ends before the Lords finish their scrutiny, so the bill falls
17 June 2026 – Lauren Edwards MP reintroduces the bill in the new session
11 September 2026 – MPs reject the reintroduced bill at second reading, 286 votes to 270
All of these votes were free votes, meaning MPs voted according to their conscience rather than party lines.
Supporters had hoped to use the Parliament Acts, which allow the Commons to overrule the Lords if it passes the same bill in two successive sessions. Because the reintroduced bill fell at its first Commons vote, that route is no longer open.
For now, nothing changes in England and Wales. Assisted dying is unlikely to return to Parliament before the next general election, and it’s unclear what will happen after that. Dignity in Dying has said a change in the law is “a question of when, not if”, while opponents such as Care Not Killing want the focus to move to palliative care funding and reform.
Even if a future bill does pass, it’s likely to take up to two years after it becomes law to set up the services and oversight bodies needed.
The most recent bill got much further than earlier attempts, which shows how much opinion in Parliament has shifted, and how finely balanced it remains.
Supporters include the campaign group Dignity in Dying, MPs Kim Leadbeater and Lauren Edwards, and Lord Falconer. Dame Esther Rantzen also became one of the most prominent voices calling for a change in the law. Opposition groups such as Care Not Killing campaigned against the bill throughout its passage.
For terminally ill people who hoped the bill would pass, the September 2026 vote will have been deeply disappointing. Under the bill, they would have had a legal option in the UK, without needing to travel abroad during an already difficult time.
As things stand, some people still choose to travel to countries such as Switzerland. It remains an offence to encourage or assist a suicide in England and Wales, although prosecutors consider guidance from the Director of Public Prosecutions, including whether someone acted wholly out of compassion, when deciding whether to bring charges. If you’re facing this situation, it’s worth seeking independent legal advice.
Whatever the law says, there’s a lot you can still do to shape your end of life on your own terms, from writing down your wishes and talking to your loved ones, to planning your own funeral. Families may find comfort in knowing their loved one’s wishes are understood and respected.
The bill would have brought significant changes for healthcare professionals, with the right to opt in or out of taking part based on personal beliefs. It also raised questions about their role in facilitating death, and the emotional burden that responsibility could carry. These questions will return if a future bill is introduced.
The UK debate has drawn heavily on experience from places where assisted dying is legal:
Any future UK law is likely to learn from how these systems have worked in practice.
Aura was founded by Paul Jameson, following his diagnosis with motor neurone disease and motivated by his experience navigating end-of-life care. He didn’t want his family to struggle with unorganised affairs and an impersonal funeral. His aim was to leave a lasting legacy, one that honoured his spirited and joyful outlook on life.
He was able to turn his confrontation with his own mortality into a positive with Aura, where we strive to offer a level of service that Paul would want for himself and his own family.
We provide unique services such as a pre-paid direct cremation plans, for both attended and unattended cremation services, to meet the needs of those looking to do things in their own way. Our plans allow you to take care of the costs and details of your funeral ahead of time, so your family will have the space to grieve without worrying about finances or the stresses of planning. Aura is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and our plans are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). You can rest assured that, when you purchase a prepaid funeral plan from Aura, your money is secure.
Many people opt to sort out details ahead of time and compare funeral plans; choosing the right plan is a deeply personal decision. Whatever you decide, it is important to recognise that though we can’t plan for every eventuality, we do have a certain amount of control over our end-of-life decisions in the UK.
If you’re looking for support making funeral arrangements, our compassionate angel team are here to help.
No. Assisted dying is illegal in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would have legalised it in England and Wales, but MPs rejected it in September 2026. Scotland’s bill was also defeated, in March 2026.
The bill included several safeguards against coercion, pressure or abuse: two independent doctors’ assessments, mental capacity checks, review by a multidisciplinary panel, two waiting periods, witnessed declarations, information about hospice and palliative care, oversight by a Voluntary Assisted Dying Commissioner, and new criminal offences for coercion. Critics argued these didn’t go far enough, which was one reason MPs voted it down.
With assisted dying, the person takes the life-ending medication themselves. With euthanasia, a doctor administers it. The UK bill only covered assisted dying.
No, euthanasia is illegal in the UK. It’s considered a criminal offence. The Assisted Dying Bill currently in Parliament does not legalise euthanasia — it only allows terminally ill adults to self-administer life-ending medication under strict safeguards.
Yes, but not soon. Assisted dying is unlikely to return to Parliament before the next general election. Any new bill would need to pass both Houses of Parliament and receive Royal Assent, followed by an implementation period of up to two years.