Peers call for more time to debate assisted dying bill

Peers have called for more time to debate legislation which would introduce assisted dying in England and Wales, as the bill makes slow progress through the House of Lords.

More than 900 changes have been proposed by peers, which experts believe is a record number for a piece of legislation put forward by a backbench MP.

Supporters of the bill have raised concerns that the volume of amendments put forward is a delaying tactic and claimed there are deliberate attempts to stall its progress.

But opponents say significant changes are needed to ensure vulnerable people are protected and any scheme can operate safely.

MPs approved the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in June, and it passed its first stage in the Lords in September.

But it will only become law if both Houses of Parliament agree on the final drafting, with approval needed before spring next year, when the current session of Parliament ends.

The legislation proposes allowing terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death.

This would be subject to approval by two doctors and a panel including a social worker, a senior legal figure and a psychiatrist.

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