Assisted dying bill to get more expert scrutiny in Lords after second reading

Peers have agreed to undertake more expert scrutiny of the assisted dying bill, as the legislation passed its first stage in the House of Lords.

- Rowena Mason

The Lords approved the bill at its second reading without a vote, meaning it will go through for further scrutiny later this autumn.

However, a special committee will now be set up to examine how the bill will be funded, how it will affect existing services and how assisted dying will take place, after a motion by Luciana Berger, a critic of the bill.

Charlie Falconer, the sponsor of the bill in the Lords, said he would support the setting up of a special committee to take further evidence.