What We’ve Been Doing in Parliament

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The past few months have been intense as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has worked its way through the House of Lords. Our focus has been simple: making sure disabled people’s voices are part of the debate.

In October, the Lords held the Second Reading over two full days, with almost 180 peers speaking. Many raised concerns that disabled people have been highlighting for years — questions about protection, pressure and the limits of safeguards.

A Select Committee then examined the bill in more depth, holding fourteen evidence sessions with ministers, clinicians and campaigners. Disability rights and safeguarding were central throughout. The Joint Committee on Human Rights also stepped in with its own dedicated hearing.

Alongside this, amendment work has been continuing quietly. With the help of volunteers and several peers, NDYUK has contributed to the drafting process. Nearly 1,500 amendments have now been proposed across Parliament — an unusually high number for a Private Member’s Bill and a sign of the widespread concern.

We’re also grateful to Peter Donnelly and George Fielding, who have attended every debate in person, and to volunteers Sophia Kleanthous, Mike Higgins and Simone Aspis for their detailed work on amendments.

Committee stage continues, with two more sessions before Christmas. And in important news, the Lords have now allocated ten additional debate days in the New Year, giving the bill’s many amendments the scrutiny they deserve.

We’ll keep sharing updates as the process unfolds. Thank you for

support — it really does make a difference.