House of Lords debates Assisted Dying Bill
The UK Leadbeater Assisted Dying Bill is being considered by the House of Lords in September 2025.
The bill as passed by the House of Commons can be read here. It is striking how much power over life and death of citizens is delegated to Ministers.
The UK Hansard Society has published a briefing on the delegated powers in the assisted dying bill, urging attention for members of the House of Lords. This briefing finds:
- The Bill delegates some powers of ‘striking breadth’ that allow Ministers to make ‘any provision that could be made by an Act of Parliament’.
- These delegations of powers are offered ‘without clear justification or meaningful constraints’, allowing Ministers to shape core provision unintended by Parliament.
- There is no consistent approach to parliamentary scrutiny, with requirements and procedures applied on an inconsistent basis.
- Changes have inconsistencies and contradictions and have caused duplicative provisions.
For further information on these striking powers and the dangers inherent in any Bill which gives life and death power to politicians see Hansard Society Briefing August 2025