These Peers are absolutely right. "We owe it to dying people to... make the law safe, workable and compassionate." As Committee begins tomorrow, this is a vital reminder to their colleagues that both the Commons and the public back law change on assisted dying.

In 2023, Maddie shared that having the choice of assisted dying would provide her comfort in her final months. As the assisted dying Bill continues through the House of Lords, her words are a powerful reminder to Peers: listen to the voices of those the Bill will impact most.

Historic change is within reach. The assisted dying Bill has passed key votes in the Commons and is now being debated in the House of Lords. It’s time for Peers to respect the public will, and deliver compassion.

In case you missed it, new research shows the assisted dying Bill has helped 21 million people across the UK talk more openly about bereavement - enabling important conversations and working towards improving end-of-life care for all. www.co-operative.coop/media/news-r...

20 people a day. Under the blanket ban on assisted dying, 20 people a day will die in pain despite the best end-of-life care. No one should be forced to suffer against their wishes. The assisted dying Bill would protect dying people, their families and society.

James shares how his terminally ill mum had to travel alone for an assisted death, leaving him unable to be with her in her final days. As the assisted dying Bill continues its journey through Parliament, his story matters more than ever. MPs and Peers must hear his call for choice and compassion.

This week the assisted dying Bill reaches Committee of the Whole House - a major milestone. Peers will examine the Bill clause by clause, and debate amendments, building on around 130 hours of Parliamentary scrutiny. Each step brings us closer to choice, safety and compassion.

“I can’t imagine a committee hearing for any other bill not having representatives from… the people this bill will actually impact.” Sophie, a mum with incurable cancer, is disappointed the Lords Committee on assisted dying didn’t hear from terminally ill people. Peers must hear from people like her

“It is important that…rules are clear enough and simple enough that they (patients) can understand what is going on.” -CMO Prof Sir Chris Whitty. The assisted dying Bill ensures fair access for terminally ill adults, with simple, robust safeguards. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...

More and more healthcare professionals are supporting choice. A recent survey of pharmacists found over half support law change on assisted dying. When those who care for us support change, Parliament must listen. pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/news...

“There’s no dignity in dying a death so shrouded in pain.” Poppy’s mum’s final days with pancreatic cancer were harrowing. Now Poppy’s fighting for change in her mum’s memory. Watch the full video on our Instagram @dignityindying

Baroness Hayter asked about international evidence showing that, for many, having the option of an assisted death offers comfort and control — even if they never use it.

"We could have been there to hold my mum's hand." Catie and her sister couldn’t accompany their terminally ill mother to her assisted death at Dignitas, for fear of prosecution. The current law makes compassion a crime. It is time for change. #YestoDignity

Here are the 5 things you need to know about what happened in the House of Lords Select Committee looking at the assisted dying bill in 60 seconds.

Sir Tom Shakespeare told the Peers that people who are dying cannot wait for all social issues to be resolved before we change the law on assisted dying - they need the choice this Bill offers now. “If we’re going to wait until there’s no inequality, we’re going to wait for an awful long time.”

“The overwhelming feedback from patients and families was gratitude.” Dr Jeanne Snelling told the House of Lords Select Committee that New Zealand’s experience of assisted dying shows how compassion, safety and choice can, and do, coexist in practice.

“This bill is for people at the end of life, people who are terminally ill.” Sir Tom Shakespeare clarifies who this Bill is for. When Parliaments legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults, as in Australia, New Zealand and US states, they remain laws which give terminally ill adults choice.

“This has been advanced cautiously, over a long period of time.” Former Director of Public Prosecutions Sir Max Hill describes the assisted dying Bill as the safest in the world, benefiting from extensive parliamentary scrutiny and learning from the experience of approaches overseas.

Palliative Care Minister Stephen Kinnock MP told Peers the assisted dying Bill has been a ‘catalyst’ for palliative care, pushing it up the political agenda and said there will be a plan to strengthen services. This mirrors countries where legalising assisted dying has boosted funding and access.

“It is far better to use systems that people are used to.” Chief Medical Officer Prof Sir Chris Whitty says the Mental Capacity Act is tried and tested - in practice and in law - to facilitate person-centred decisions. The assisted dying Bill uses the MCA to ensure it operates safely.

“The best regulations are ones that are simple and clear.” England’s Chief Medical Officer Prof Sir Chris Whitty warns against entangling dying patients in complex bureaucracy. The assisted dying Bill is built on safety and evidence - clear, simple safeguards protect people and provide choice.

“This Bill… brings all of that into the open.” Former Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill said the assisted dying Bill would replace the current lack of oversight - which criminalises compassion and hinders proper investigation - with clear, regulated safeguards.

“We'd probably relish the challenge of setting up a service like this.” Laura Wilson of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society told the Lords Select Committee that pharmacists can draw on international experience, showing that strong safeguards ensure both safety and choice in assisted dying services.

"We could have been there to hold my mum's hand." Catie and her sister couldn’t accompany their terminally ill mother to her assisted death at Dignitas, for fear of prosecution. The current law makes compassion a crime. It is time for change. #YestoDignity

“I’m doing everything I can to stay alive.” Sophie is fighting for access to life-extending drugs, and for the right to choose how her story ends. She wants to be here for her daughter, to fight for more time, and to ensure her death, when it comes, is dignified and without suffering.

Good to see this. Hope the Lords Select Committee take note.

Last week Sir Tom Shakespeare had a powerful message for the Lords Select Committee on assisted dying - disabled people, like the vast majority of the public, back law change on assisted dying. It's time for a fair, safe law for dying people.

“I think we must be careful not to be paternalistic.” Sir Tom Shakespeare told the Lords Committee that the assisted dying Bill gives terminally ill people choice — not instead of palliative care, but as another tool in its arsenal — with safeguards that protect autonomy and safety.

“The difference between a good and a bad death is the rest of the lives of those left behind.” Anil’s terminally ill father was denied choice — forced into a lonely, dangerous death under the status quo. It’s time Peers listened to dying people and their families. #YesToDignity

“I think we must be careful not to be paternalistic.” Sir Tom Shakespeare told the Lords Committee that the assisted dying Bill gives terminally ill people choice — not instead of palliative care, but as another tool in its arsenal — with safeguards that protect autonomy and safety.

“The majority of disabled people support assisted dying.” Sir Tom Shakespeare said the Bill is more compassionate and safer than the current law — and evidence from countries where assisted dying for terminally ill adults is legal shows that these laws work safely.

“I’m doing everything I can to stay alive.” Sophie is fighting for access to life-extending drugs, and for the right to choose how her story ends. She wants to be here for her daughter, to fight for more time, and to ensure her death, when it comes, is dignified and without suffering.

Prof Sam Ahmedzai: assisted dying can work alongside palliative care. In other countries it often happens at home, with support from community and specialist services. He stresses both should happen in tandem — giving patients timely, quality end-of-life options.

Sarah Sackman KC MP, and Justice Minister: “The status quo… gives rise to a mischief in which behaviour that some might describe as compassionate is effectively criminalised, and where some feel compelled to take their own lives.” She notes the Bill seeks to address these harms of the current law.

“Asking for assisted dying… may open the door to palliative care.” Prof Sam Ahmedzai says the Bill can help ensure people can access all the end-of-life care and treatment available to them as well as providing much-needed choice. #AssistedDyingBill #YesToDignity

“The debate on assisted dying has created more of a national conversation about death and dying than I’ve seen in my time in the hospice sector.” Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, on how this discussion could improve understanding and reduce traumatic late-stage treatments.

Baroness Hayter asked about international evidence showing that, for many, having the option of an assisted death offers comfort and control — even if they never use it.

The right to life should be matched by the right to have a dignified death. #YesToDignity

“The difference between a good and a bad death is the rest of the lives of those left behind.” Anil’s terminally ill father was denied choice — forced into a lonely, dangerous death under the status quo. It’s time Peers listened to dying people and their families. #YesToDignity

“When four former Directors of Public Prosecutions say that the law needs to change, I think there's very clear evidence that the law needs to change.” Kim Leadbeater reminded the Committee of the opinion shared by leading legal experts who have been at the coalface of this outdated and unjust law.

“When we get things wrong in healthcare, it’s usually because we’re being paternalistic.” - Nicola Ranger, Royal College of Nursing. A safe route to choice for dying people is about putting power back in the hands of terminally ill patients and preventing the cruel harms of the status quo.

@kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social describes the world-leading safeguards in assisted dying Bill - incl. many eligibility conversations, a multi-disc. panel for extra oversight, and new offences on coercion. None of which exist under the status quo. #YesToDignity

@kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social says it plainly: when the law concerns dying people, we must hear from them and their families. They know best why change is needed - no loved one should face grief and the fear of prosecution, and no dying person should be forced to suffer against their wishes.

1: Reflecting on his own Jewish faith, Lord Winston said he could not impose his religious views on others. In a compassionate, pluralistic society, we can each hold our own beliefs - while trusting others to make the choices that are right for them. #YestoDignity

Mick has a message for Peers today: He made his best friend, Bob a promise to fight for choice, compassion and dignity here at home after he felt his only choice was to travel abroad for an assisted death. We want to help him keep his promise. #YesToDignity

Today, the House of Lords Select Committee heard evidence on the assisted dying Bill - following its successful Second Reading debate last month.

“The wealthy have choice. We need to be mindful that society has spoken via the Commons, and this choice of whether to end suffering needs to be afforded to all the people and not just to the elite.” Louise Shackleton #YesToDignity www.itv.com/news/2025-10...

No one's beliefs should limit another's right to choose. Speaking in the Lords last month, Lord Mohammed of Tinsley highlighted why no one’s beliefs should prevent others from making their own end-of-life decisions. #YestoDignity

Assisted dying is about compassion — ensuring terminally ill, mentally competent adults can choose a peaceful, dignified end on their own terms. #YestoDignity

Over 300 million people now have access to safeguarded assisted dying. The direction of travel is clear — compassion, choice and safety are winning out. #YestoDignity