What's next for the assisted dying bill after latest MP debate?

MPs have finished their latest round of debating on the assisted dying bill — but what's next?

Emotional statements on the proposed bill seeking to introduce assisted dying into UK law for adults expected to die within six months were once again the focal point in Parliament today as MPs gathered for its report stage.

A bill's report stage offers MPs the opportunity to consider further amendments once the text has been looked at by a committee, before the entire text is voted on, known as the third reading.

The key amendment discussed today was an expansion clause for an opt-out option for anyone, such as medical staff, to choose whether they wanted to take part in the assisted dying process — this was passed with 288 votes for and 237 against.

But there are still dozens of amendments to be considered, with the next debate set to take place on June 13.

Some of these amendments include ensuring no medical professional is allowed to raise the option of assisted dying before a patient, as well as limiting suggestions to only those over the age of 18.

Only once all of the amendments have been considered will MPs be able to vote on the whole bill's text.

In November, when MPs voted to get the bill over its first hurdle with 330 votes for and 275 against, Suffolk's representatives were split, with four voting each way.

Since then, however, many key changes have been made to the bill's text, including the removal of a requirement for a High Court judge to sign off on each request, instead replacing it with a panel of three people — a legal member, a psychiatrist and a social worker.

Jess Asato, MP for Lowestoft, reiterated her opposition to the bill yesterday, after having already voted against it in November, saying it had become even less safe than its original version.

Suffolk MPs voting in favour of the clause expansion today were James Cartlidge, Dr Peter Prinsley, Jack Abbott, Jenny Riddell-Carpenter and Adrian Ramsay.

Voting against were Jess Asato and Nick Timothy — Patrick Spencer also voted against it by proxy.