Assisted dying could soon be legalised in the UK. What is in the proposed bill?

The UK's House of Commons has formally introduced a proposed law to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales.

A parliamentary vote is due to take place on 29 November, with further debates required before the controversial bill can officially become law.

A draft of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was published on Monday (11 November) and proposes making it legal for terminally ill adults expected to have less than six months to live to ask for and be provided with help to end their own life, subject to safeguards and protections.

The subject of assisted death, which is currently under debate in several other European countries, has always been a contentious one.

Some opponents to the UK's proposed bill have voiced concerns that it could mean people feel pressured to end their lives.

Labour lawmaker Kim Leadbeater, who proposed the bill, said the law has robust safeguards built into it and contains “three layers of scrutiny", with two doctors and a High Court judge required to sign off on any decision.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday (12 November) that he will study the details of the bill and “will not be putting pressure on any MP (Member of Parliament) to vote one way or the other.”

Under the draft legislation, only those over the age of 18 in England and Wales and who are expected to die within six months can request assisted dying.

They must have the "capacity to make a decision to end their own life" and would be required to make two separate declarations, witnessed and signed, about their wish to die.

Two independent doctors will review each case and need to be satisfied the person is eligible, with at least seven days between the doctors' assessments.

At least