Overview

• The House of Lords approved the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at second reading without a vote, the furthest such legislation has progressed at Westminster.
• Peers accepted Baroness Luciana Berger’s amendment establishing a roughly dozen-member committee starting on 20 October for six hearings over three weeks, with findings due by 7 November.
• The committee will examine funding, service delivery and safeguards, including the role and availability of psychiatrists, and may call Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary David Lammy.
• Lord Charlie Falconer urged peers to scrutinise rather than block a Commons-backed bill, while Church leaders signalled they could force a later vote as debate saw a majority of speakers oppose the measure.
• If enacted, the law would allow eligible adults with fewer than six months to live to seek an assisted death subject to medical and panel approvals, with up to four years to establish any service.