News

Stand with us for assisted dying reform

April 1, 2026

Join us in Parliament Square on Wednesday, 22 April.

We will gather alongside our coalition partners at Humanists UK to show that this movement will not be silenced by delay.

RSVP YES

This is a critical moment, but it is not the end.

Just two days later, on Friday 24 April, the bill faces its final session in the House of Lords, when it will almost certainly fall. If it falls, it is not because support has disappeared, but because a small number of peers have used procedure and prolonged debate to run down the clock.

Dying people and their loved ones have fought too hard, and waited too long, for this moment to simply pass. If Parliament fails them now, we will not go away.

We are angry, and we know many others are too. If you have shared our frustration as this bill is delayed and talked out, we need you to show up if you can.

Date: Wednesday 22 April
Time: 9 AM to 12 PM
Where: Parliament Square, Westminster, SW1P 3JX
Meeting point: Meet at the Winston Churchill statue
Closest station: Westminster

Please RSVP today.

We are the many, not the few.
If a handful of unelected peers block this bill by running down the clock, we will not accept it, and we will not stop.

Bring your voice, bring your energy, and bring a homemade poster if you can. We will also have placards available on the day. Rally your friends and help us show Parliament that this movement will not be silenced by delay.

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Support our Crowdfunder to keep up the fight for assisted dying reform

March 30, 2026

MPs have backed assisted dying reform, but the Bill still faces the risk of being blocked in the House of Lords. We have launched a new Crowdfunder to help keep up the fight.

My Death, My Decision has launched a new Crowdfunder to help keep up the fight for choice, dignity and compassion at the end of life. The campaign aims to raise £10,000 by 5th June.

A Bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales has already been backed by MPs, but it still faces the risk of being blocked. As our Crowdfunder page explains, a small group of peers in the House of Lords continues to delay the Bill with a huge number of amendments and a painfully slow debate. If they succeed in running down the clock, the Bill will simply fall.

That is why this Crowdfunder matters.

We are a small grassroots campaign with a big task. Right now, our team is responding to political developments, briefing supporters, engaging the media, organising public campaigning, and making sure the voices of terminally ill people and families are heard. But public support alone is not enough, and the truth is that this work takes money.

Your support will help us keep going at the level this moment demands, and help fund the work needed both now and in the weeks ahead.

Your donation will help our small team keep this campaign moving, from supporter emails and digital campaigning to media work, rallies, campaign materials and the behind-the-scenes organising needed to keep pressure on Parliament.

This campaign is also about real people.

One of the people backing the appeal is Clare Turner, who lives in Devon and was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2021. Clare wants the choice of an assisted death if her suffering becomes too much, and wants to protect her daughters from witnessing a long and painful death. As she says, “I shouldn’t be preoccupied with the fear of how much I am going to suffer as I die or how awful the experience will be for my daughters to witness. To be swamped with fear as you die is just so cruel.”

The public has consistently been clear where it stands. British Social Attitudes findings showing 79% support for assisted dying in cases of terminal illness, and also references polling showing 83% say the Bill should be brought back in the next parliamentary session if it runs out of time.

If you believe terminally ill adults deserve more choice at the end of life, please donate today. And if you cannot donate right now, sharing the Crowdfunder will still make a real difference. You can support the appeal here: Help us protect and assisted dying Bill at risk

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New figures show a continued rise in Britons turning to Dignitas as Lords’ delay drags on

March 20, 2026

The number of people in the UK registered as members of Dignitas has continued to rise, according to newly published figures from the Swiss assisted-dying organisation.

Statistics published by Dignitas (Full name ‘Dignitas – To live with dignity – to die with dignity’) show that 2,385 people in the UK were members as of 31 December 2025, up from 2,231 in 2024. That is an increase of 154 people in a single year.

And this is part of a much bigger pattern. In 2020, Dignitas had 1,409 members in the UK. Since then, that number has grown by around 69%.

43 people from Great Britain had an assisted death at Dignitas in 2025, up from 37 the year prior, bringing the total number of Brits who have died at Dignitas to 651 since 1998.

These new figures provide yet more evidence that growing numbers of terminally ill people in Britain are looking abroad for reassurance and control at the end of life because they cannot get that choice at home.

The figures come at a time of growing frustration over continued attempts to delay the Bill’s progress through prolonged debate in the House of Lords.

Dave Sowry, co-chair at My Death, My Decision, who accompanied his wife Christy to Dignitas in September 2022, said:

“It is horribly unfair that terminally ill people in Britain are still being driven to look abroad for a choice they should be able to have at home.

These are people already living with fear and uncertainty, yet instead of being supported with compassion in their own country, they are left to travel, often alone & at great cost, to a clinic in Switzerland.

And that unfairness feels even crueller when, in England and Wales, dying people and their families are still being made to wait while this Bill is slowed and stalled at every opportunity in the House of Lords. The need has not gone away, and if anything, these figures show that more people are still being left without the choice they want at the end of life. ”

Dignitas is not the only organisation that allows international members to have an assisted death, meaning the number of UK citizens who have travelled to Switzerland to die is much higher.

Notes

Dignitas recorded 15,968 members worldwide at the end of 2025, with the UK making up almost 15% of that total.

For further comment or information, media should contact Kerry Hogan at kerry.hogan@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07922363248. (media only)

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request

Media can use the following press images and videos, as long as they are attributed to “My Death, My Decision”.

In 2024, the Assisted Dying Coalition produced a report detailing where in the UK residents have come from before having an assisted death abroad.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe and compassionate assisted death.

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Assisted Dying Bill passes through House of Commons

June 20, 2025

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has passed Third Reading in the House of Commons. The vote was 314 in favour, 291 against. My Death, My Decision and Humanists UK welcome the result.

Carmen Sumadiwiria, Director of Diversity at My Death, My Decision said: 

‘This is a day for the history books, where facts have prevailed over fear. Today’s vote reflects what the British public has known for years, that everyone deserves the right to choose a compassionate death. We are grateful to politicians who listened to evidence, reason, and the lived experience of dying Brits. This is a momentous victory for the overwhelming majority who support assisted dying, and we will keep working to make sure those voices continue to be heard.

‘We want to thank every parliamentarian who stood up today for dignity and common sense. Your courage has given hope to terminally ill adults across the country who simply want the choice to die peacefully and on their own terms. We are proud to stand with you and will continue to work for a fairer, kinder law.’

Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, said:

‘The House of Commons has taken a historic step towards meeting the aspirations of the public, who overwhelmingly support having choice, dignity, and compassion at the end of their lives. We welcome this and now look forward to working with Lords on the legislation.

‘MPs have finally recognised the fact that assisted dying is already happening in this country. People are travelling to Switzerland if they have the money and mobility to do so. Others are dying in traumatic circumstances by suicide. Many more are suffering greatly, even while receiving the best possible care. Today, we are a significant step closer to ending that unnecessary and cruel suffering and MPs should be commended for taking this step. ’

Louise Shackleton accompanied her husband, Anthony, to Switzerland for an assisted death after he had been suffering from motor neurone disease for six years. She said:

‘Today, the majority of MPs did the right thing. They listened with compassion, and they chose dignity over fear. I’m so relieved that other families won’t have to go through what Anthony and I did, forced to leave our home, our loved ones, and our country just so he could have a peaceful death.

‘This law means that people facing unimaginable illnesses will finally have a choice. It means their final days can be filled with love, not fear, with family, not police interviews. I promised Anthony I’d fight for this, and today I can say we’ve been heard.’

The Bill will now progress to the House of Lords, which will further scrutinise it. It applies to England and Wales only. A private member’s bill in Scotland by Liam McArthur MSP recently passed its First Stage vote in the Scottish Parliament.

Notes

For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959 or My Death My Decision Director of Diversity Carmen Sumadiwiria at carmen.sumadiwiria@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07879 391313

Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision have people and their loved ones who would be affected by this change available for the press.

If you have been affected by the current assisted dying legislation, and want to use your story to support a change in the law, please email campaigns@humanists.uk.

Humanists defend the right of each individual to live by their own personal values, and the freedom to make decisions about their own life so long as this does not result in harm to others. Humanists do not share the attitudes to death and dying held by some religious believers, in particular that the manner and time of death are for a deity to decide, and that interference in the course of nature is unacceptable. We firmly uphold the right to life but we recognise that this right carries with it the right of each individual to make their own judgement about whether their life should be prolonged in the face of pointless suffering.

We recognise that any assisted dying law must contain strong safeguards and the international evidence from countries where assisted dying is legal shows that safeguards can be effective. We also believe that the choice of assisted dying should not be considered an alternative to palliative care, but should be offered together as in many other countries.

Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 130,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision are both members of the Assisted Dying Coalition, along with Friends at the End, Humanist Society Scotland, and End of Life Choices Jersey.

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Huge Support for Assisted Dying at Rally

May 1, 2024

My Death, My Decision held a rally earlier this week in support of assisted dying, coinciding with the Westminster Hall debate on assisted dying.

Our supporters joined the well-attended rally alongside Humanists UK, co-founders of the assisted dying coalition. Hundreds of attendees waved banners and chanted in the direction of parliament.

Speeches came from Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, Humanists UK CEO Andrew Copson, and campaigners Clare Powell and Bryan Grayson, who have been affected by the current cruel law. 

The rally took place an hour before a debate to “Hold a parliamentary vote on assisted dying”. The debate was organised after nearly 200,000 people signed a petition. 

The debate was well attended by MPs and members of the public who were queuing outside Parliament to attend the three-hour-long debate.

Support from the streets outside Parliament, spilled into Westminster Hall where politicians spoke in support of a law change.

Tory MP Siobhan Baillie began to cry as she shared the testimony of a constituent who had written to her about his mum, “She went on to plead for death in the final weeks, it took 16 weeks for her to die, effectively from starvation.”

Green MP Caroline Lucas said the current law “drives practices overseas or behind closed doors where there are no safeguards in place to protect people.”

We continue to campaign for adults who are unbearably suffering from an incurable physical condition to have the right to choose a compassionate and dignified death. 

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision said:

‘It is heartening to see such passionate support for law change on assisted dying for the incurably suffering. We know that the overwhelming majority of the public are in favour – now it’s time for the politicians to stop dragging their heels.

We urge all parties to include in their manifestos a commitment to allow Parliamentary time for a Bill to be properly debated and voted on. All candidates in the General Election will know that this has their constituents’ support.”

Notes:

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

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Over a third of Church of England priests support assisted dying

August 31, 2023

Source: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/church-of-england-priests-survey-gay-conversion-therapy-ban-assisted-dying-house-of-lords-net-zero-7kqg3dswr

Support for assisted dying among Church of England priests has grown significantly in the last nine years. Over a third of priests would support assisted dying for someone with an incurable disease.

My Death, My Decision hopes this revelation might help to foster a safe and open debate amongst the Church of England clergy on this vital issue, especially as Scotland, Jersey and the Isle of Man come increasingly closer to creating compassionate assisted dying legislation.

A recent survey by the Times of 1,185 Church of England priests conducted this month found that 35.5% of priests supported a compassionate assisted dying law, compared to 22% in 2014. While a majority do not want assisted dying legalised, opposition has dropped 15%, from 70% to 55%.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey of Clifton described assisted dying as “profoundly Christian to do all we can to ensure nobody suffers against their wishes”. He told The Times: “Opinion is beginning to change as more and more clergy encounter those increasingly difficult experiences of terminal illness where even the best medical care leaves patients living their last days and hours in unconscionable agony and indignity.”

My Death, My Decision’s patron Reverend Canon Rosie Harper says: “The dignity and the compassion that every dying person is owed is still not available to us in this country. I long for [the law] to change and I hope that My Death, My Decision will be part of a wave of people, as most of the people in this country want it to change.”

A 2019 assisted dying poll by Populus found that 86% of people deemed regular churchgoers would support assisted dying under some circumstances. 82% of people who identified as Christian would support a change in the law.

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision said:

“We know the majority of people in the pews support a compassionate, safe assisted dying law and it’s refreshing to see opinions at the pulpit slowly catching up. There is nothing Christian about forcing incurably sick people to have long, painful undignified deaths.

My Death, My Decision welcomes this wave of support shown by The Times survey, and we are glad to see opposition to assisted dying fall considerably too. People deserve to make decisions about their lives and ultimately their deaths. It is time Parliament legislates on this important issue.”

Notes:

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow those who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

Read more about our work with the Assisted Dying Inquiry: https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/2023/07/13/our-summary-the-assisted-dying-inquiry/ 

 

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Dominoes are falling: Majority of surgeons support assisted dying.

June 16, 2023

A majority of Surgeons support assisted dying, according to figures from a survey of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. 61% of respondents to the survey said they personally support a change in the law. 29% said they were opposed and 10% undecided.

This has led the Royal College of Surgeons to end their opposition to assisted dying. 

52% said the Royal College of Surgeons should be supportive of a change in the law to permit assisted dying. 20% said the College should take a neutral position on the provision of assisted dying for mentally competent, terminally ill adults.

In relation to the role of doctors in any future assisted dying process, 59% felt doctors should be involved in confirming a patient meets the eligibility criteria; 42% thought doctors should prescribe the drugs and 23% thought that doctors should be present while patients self-administer the drugs.

Following the survey, the Council voted to adopt a neutral position on the issue. 

The British Medical Association ended its opposition and moved to a neutral position on assisted dying in 2021. This reflects the position of similar medical bodies including the Royal Colleges of Physicians, Medicine, Nursing and Psychiatrists.

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, said:

“Medical professionals are increasingly coming to the conclusion that assisted dying should be legalised in the UK. The Health and Social Care Committee must surely give due weight to this in their conclusions following the current inquiry into assisted dying.

The public support change, doctors across the spectrum support change – now politicians need to step up and give people who are incurably suffering or terminally ill the right to take control over their own bodies and, ultimately, their own deaths.”

Notes:

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request

Read the survey here: https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/about-the-rcs/government-relations-and-consultation/position-statements-and-reports/assisted-dying/ 

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow those who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

Read more about our work with the Assisted Dying Inquiry: https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/2023/05/15/assisted-dying-inquiry-health-and-social-care-committee-takes-next-steps/ 

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Compassion lead to assisted dying law, say international experts

June 6, 2023

Today, the Health and Social Care Committee heard testimony from experts from countries where access to assisted dying is permitted based on ‘unbearable suffering’. In the first panel, experts from Belgium and the Netherlands explained that compassion was the primary motive behind their early adoption of such a law.

Experts also explained that having a law introduces additional scrutiny to end-of-life care. Professor Bernheim explained that Belgium and the Netherlands are where end-of-life issues have been studied the most intensely. He highlighted that since the law was introduced there has been “much more control, much more scrutiny, much more awareness, much more compassion”.

So far, debates in the UK on assisted dying have mostly been limited to the terminally ill, but this session showed that a law that extends to people who are incurably, intolerably suffering is the most compassionate way forward. Professor Irene Tuffrey-Wijne explained that she doesn’t think the six-month prognosis is logical and it could be interpreted as unfair.

My Death, My Decision would welcome an assisted dying law in the UK that grants mentally capable adults the option of an assisted death if they are enduring unbearable suffering from an incurable physical condition.

The experts showed that across the world, where assisted dying has been introduced, palliative care has dramatically improved. Professor James Downar has said that since the introduction of an assisted dying law, Canada has seen the most historic increase in funding for palliative care. Since the introduction of an assisted dying law, Netherlands and Belgium now have the most developed palliative care in Europe and in Belgium, confidence in the medical system is high, even higher than it was before the law was introduced.

Professor Downar explained that in Canada the vast majority of people who received assisted dying, over 80% had received palliative care and 98% had access to palliative care.

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, said:

“It is heartening to hear from those on the frontline of assisted dying in other countries that the key driver for the introduction of a law was compassion. That is what drives our campaign for a law in England and Wales, because above all we want to end unnecessary suffering.

Research from the Office of Health Economics shows that even the best palliative care cannot alleviate suffering in thousands of cases each year. We urge the Health and Social Care Committee to help remedy this by recommending a compassionate law for the UK – following the 28 jurisdictions that have already done so.”

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