UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated that the debate on assisted suicide should not proceed until palliative care, social care and end-of-life support are better funded, marking a significant development ahead of the planned Second Reading of a revived assisted suicide Bill on 11 September.
Speaking in response to a question from Sky News deputy political editor Sam Coates, the UK Prime Minister said he believes there is a necessary step before Parliament considers changing the law. “I think there’s something that needs to happen first. That is the fixing of the funding of palliative care and social care,” Burnham said. He added that it would be “very challenging” to hold the wider debate while many people still lack confidence in the care available to them, concluding: “That’s the position I will stick to.”
Burnham’s intervention could influence parliamentary support for the Bill, noting that only a small number of MPs would need to change their position for the legislation to fail. Polling shows that most voters believe Parliament should prioritise improving the NHS, palliative care and social care before considering assisted suicide.
The reintroduced Bill also retains concerns previously raised by Royal Colleges, professional organisations, disability groups, mental health charities and domestic abuse organisations. Supporters of the legislation, meanwhile, argue that assisted dying would provide greater choice and autonomy for terminally ill adults under strict legal safeguards. The Bill is scheduled to return to the House of Commons for debate on 11 September.
Follow News Of Malta 🇲🇹 for the latest stories and updates.
