Assisted Dying Bill
Earlier this year, a Private Members Bill on ‘Assisted Dying’ was introduced in the House of Lords by Baroness Meacher, Chair of Dignity in Dying. The Bill is due it’s second reading on 22 October 2021, when there will be a full debate in the House of Lords. The Bishops’ main concerns with the Bill can be summarised as follows: protecting the most vulnerable, the experience of other countries, investing in care, and not ending care. The Bill is almost identical in form to the ‘Marris Bill’, which was overwhelmingly defeated in the House of Commons in 2015 by 330 votes to 118. None of the serious concerns raised have been factored into this.