What's happening with the assisted dying bill?

"In its current form, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would allow people over the age of 18, who are expected to die within six months, to be given help to end their own life, subject to certain safeguards. But the legislation continues to generate huge controversy, with passionate arguments for and against. The House of Lords is on its fourth of 14 days allocated for detailed scrutiny of the bill and it's still some way off becoming law."

"Members of the House of Lords have proposed more than 1,000 changes to the bill - known as amendments - which experts believe is a record number for a bill proposed by a backbench MP. Supporters of assisted dying have raised concerns that the number of amendments, as well as the slow progress debating them, is a delaying tactic by opponents aimed at blocking the bill from becoming law."

MPs gave initial approval to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill over a year ago. The bill would allow adults aged 18 or over, expected to die within six months, to receive help to end their own life under defined safeguards. The House of Lords is conducting detailed scrutiny and has proposed more than 1,000 amendments. Supporters say the volume and slow debate amount to delay tactics by opponents and risk thwarting an MP-backed bill. Leadbeater welcomes scrutiny but called many amendments unnecessary and "cruel", citing proposals such as travel bans and mandatory filming. Opponents say significant changes are needed to protect vulnerable people.

Read at www.bbc.com