Assisted dying bill stalls in Lords: fact‑checking the votes, amendments and Parliament Acts

Claim 1 The claim states that on 29 November 2024 MPs supported the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in principle by a majority of 55, and that the bill cleared the House of Commons on 20 June 2024 by a majority of 23.

Evidence The background notes that MPs first voted in favour of the bill almost 17 months ago, and that the bill cleared the Commons on 20 June last year with a majority of 23. It also says the principle vote occurred on 29 November 2024 with a majority of 55.

Verdict mostly_false

Analysis The timeline is inconsistent: if the current date is in 2024, 29 November 2024 is in the future, while 20 June 2024 is in the past. The article places the principle vote on 29 November 2024 and the Commons clearance on 20 June last year, which cannot both be correct relative to a single point in time. The majority figures match the article, but the conflicting dates make the claim inaccurate.

Claim 2 The claim states that over 1,200 amendments were tabled in the House of Lords during consideration of the assisted dying bill, a number believed to be a record high for a bill introduced by a backbench MP.

Evidence The background explicitly says: “More than 1,200 amendments were tabled in the Lords, which is believed to be a record high for a bill introduced by a backbench MP.”

Verdict true

Analysis The evidence directly matches the claim, providing both the amendment count and the contextual note about it being a record for a backbench bill. No contradictory information is presented.

Claim 3 The claim states that the Parliament Acts were last invoked in 2004 to enact a ban on fox hunting.

Evidence The background notes: “The Parliament Acts were last used in 2004 to push through a ban on fox hunting.”

Verdict true

Analysis The statement in the background is a verbatim match to the claim, confirming the historical use of the Parliament Acts for the fox‑hunting ban.

What to watch next: Supporters plan to reintroduce the bill in the next parliamentary session beginning 13 May, and may seek to use the Parliament Acts to overcome Lords opposition if the bill passes the Commons a second time.