Peers Granted Record-Breaking Time to Debate Assisted Dying

In an unprecedented move for a Private Member’s Bill, the Government has extended the House of Lords’ debating schedule to accommodate the massive volume of amendments filed against the Assisted Dying Bill. Campaigners for the bill have welcomed the extra time but warned that the process is being intentionally slowed by opponents.

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The Scale of the Debate

The bill has become one of the most heavily contested pieces of legislation in recent UK history. The House of Lords is currently navigating a “logjam” caused by:

• 1,100+ Amendments: A small group of opposing peers has submitted over a thousand changes, ranging from significant legal safeguards to minor administrative tweaks.
• 16 Full Days of Debate: The Government has granted 12 additional days beyond the standard schedule to ensure every concern is heard.
• Friday Sittings: In a rare departure from tradition, the Lords are meeting on Fridays specifically to process this legislation.

The Strategy: Scrutiny or Sabotage?

The request for extra time has exposed a deep rift in the House of Lords regarding parliamentary procedure:

1. The Pro-Choice View: Campaign groups like Dignity in Dying argue that while they want a “safe and robust” bill, they believe opponents are using filibustering tactics. They claim the sheer volume of amendments is designed to “run out the clock” before the parliamentary session ends in May.
2. The Opponent View: Critics of the bill, including disability rights advocates and some religious leaders, argue that the bill is “dangerously vague.” They maintain that 1,100 amendments are not a delay tactic, but a necessary response to a piece of legislation that involves “life and death.”

Critical Points Under Review

As the peers move through the “Committee Stage,” the extra time is being used to scrutinize several high-stakes areas:

• Judicial Oversight: Whether a High Court judge must conduct a personal interview with every applicant to ensure they aren’t being coerced.
• Medical Conscience: Strengthening the rights of doctors and pharmacists to opt out of the process.
• Palliative Care Funding: Ensuring that assisted dying does not become a “cheaper alternative” to underfunded hospice care.

Comparison of the Current Legislative Path

Feature	Standard Private Member’s Bill	Assisted Dying Bill (2026)
Typical Debate Time	1–2 days	16 days
Friday Sittings	Rare/Optional	Mandatory & Consecutive
End Date Goal	Often “talked out” quickly	Targeted for April 24 completion