MPs back proposals to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales

MPs have voted for a historic bill that could change the law on assisted dying in England and Wales.

Around 54% of MPs voted for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024-25 after an often emotionally charged five hour debate in the House of Commons on 29 November.

The private member’s bill1 will now be scrutinised in depth at the committee stage and may be amended by the House of Lords or the House of Commons before a final vote. The bill’s proposers have allowed a two year “commencement” period for it, but today’s result gives provisional approval from MPs for a change to the law under which, currently, a person can be given a 14 year custodial sentence for assisting in suicide.

The majority of MPs (330) voted for the bill to progress, and 275 voted against it. This shows a shift in support since 2015, when a bill …