Staggering cost

Why on earth should Assisted Dying in the UK cost £15,000 per case whilst the most expensive provider in Switzerland, Dignitas, charges only £10,300 ? Over the weekend of the 21st and 22nd June 2025 the British newspapers and TV channels were full of reports that the forthcoming Assisted Dying law in England and Wales… Continue reading Staggering cost

Assisted Dying Bill passes crucial stage

The UK Bill to legalise Assisted Dying in England and Wales was today (Friday 20th June 2025) passed by the House of Commons.   The Ayes were 314 and the Noes were 291.   The majority of 23 therefore represented 3.8% of those voting.   The total of 605 was 93% of the 650 MPs who could have… Continue reading Assisted Dying Bill passes crucial stage

UK would ban adverts for Assisted Dying

The UK Bill to legalise Assisted Dying in England and Wales will receive its final vote in the House of Commons on Friday 20th June.   It is going to be close.   According to the campaigners against it, 18 MPs have changed their minds since last November’s vote in favour.   That is not enough to remove… Continue reading UK would ban adverts for Assisted Dying

Oregon’s choices widen – slightly

This website has received a number of enquiries about the recent changes to Oregon’s laws on Assisted Dying.   On the face of things, Oregon has opened its doors to foreigners who want to travel there for help to end their lives. Well, yes they have – but it’s not so simple as that. Following a… Continue reading Oregon’s choices widen – slightly

France votes in favour

The French National Assembly has voted to support a Bill that would allow assisted voluntary suicide.   It passed by 305 votes to 199 with 57 abstentions.   The vote in favour, 61% of those present, was notably greater than the 55% who supported the British equivalent in November 2024.   This, understandably, has given great encouragement to… Continue reading France votes in favour

Assisted Dying Bill – Report Stage

If yesterday’s debate in the House of Commons had been a football match, it would have been a nil nil draw. This was the Report Stage of the Bill’s progress.   After approving the Bill in principle last November, the House had set up a Committee to scrutinise its contents “line by line”.   Yesterday was when… Continue reading Assisted Dying Bill – Report Stage

Success in Scotland

This evening’s vote, by 70 to 56, in the Scottish Parliament to continue with their support of Liam McArthur MSP’s Bill to legalise Assisted Dying will be the cause of many a sigh of relief amongst right-to-die campaigners on both sides of the border.   At times during the debate, it rather felt as though the… Continue reading Success in Scotland

Public opinion vs Political inertia

UK opinion polls for the past five years have consistently shown majority support for Assisted Dying.   Most recently the figures have been between 70% and 80%.   It is therefore puzzling that the success or failure of the current Bill going through the House of Commons should be considered a matter of touch and go when… Continue reading Public opinion vs Political inertia

Assisted Dying Bill to fail ?

The London Times of 1st May carried a story headed “Assisted dying bill losing support of MPs”. The story was based on a survey of MPs’ opinions, conducted by Care Not Killing.   This reported that 42% were now against, 36% were still in favour and 13% were undecided.   The survey itself is of limited importance.  … Continue reading Assisted Dying Bill to fail ?

Dignitas statistics

Dignitas has just released its Review of 2024 and its outlook for 2025. In 2024 it provided a total of 280 assisted suicides.   Of these, 20% were from the USA, 20% were French, 13% were British, 12% were from Israel and 8% were from Italy.   The rest were from 32 other countries including Switzerland itself.  … Continue reading Dignitas statistics

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