Peers urged to reject irredeemably flawed Assisted Suicide Bill

Members of the House of Lords must reject the irredeemably flawed assisted suicide bill, the social policy charity CARE said on the eve of second reading in the House of Lords.

Around 200 Peers are expected to speak during the first day of second reading for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill which starts tomorrow (Friday 12 September 2025).

The proposed law would legalise assisted suicide for patients in England and Wales with a terminal illness and six months or less to live.

It passed its Third Reading in the House of Commons in June by a very narrow margin with a significant number of MPs switching from supporting the Bill to voting against.

CARE’s chief executive, Ross Hendry, said:

“We recognise the difficulties Peers are facing with this Bill and questions around whether the House of Lords can or should block it.

“Ultimately, our view is that at some point, Peers should vote this legislation down. It is both flawed and dangerous.

"Legalising this practice would send the harmful message that lives marked by illness and disability are not worth living. It could also open the door to abuses against vulnerable and marginalised members of society: lonely elderly people, disabled people, victims of domestic abuse and others.

“I’m sure Peers will also have been struck by the significant narrowing of support for the Bill, between second and third reading in the Commons.

“A vast range of experts have consistently highlighted multiple problems with the drafting of this Bill, including the Delegated Powers Committee who this week have highlighted 11 areas of concern where the proposed law even bypasses parliament.

“We call on Peers to reject this irredeemably flawed Bill and instead, put pressure on the Government to go much further on investing in palliative care.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For interview requests, further reaction, or background: james.mildred@care.org.uk / 07717516814