Care system needs fixing before assisted dying debate, says PM
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that the government must prioritize fixing social and palliative care funding before addressing the assisted dying debate. His comments suggest he will not personally support the upcoming Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
Why it matters
This signals a significant policy shift from the previous administration and sets a major hurdle for legislative efforts to legalize assisted dying in the UK.
Image source, Getty Images Published 18 minutes ago By Harry Farley Political correspondent Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said that before assisted dying is considered in England and Wales, the funding of palliative and social care should be "fixed".
It is the first time Burnham has set out his position on the issue since becoming prime minister, as MPs prepare to debate it again when Parliament returns in September.
The government is likely to remain officially neutral, but Burnham's remarks suggest he personally will not back a bill being proposed by Labour MP Lauren Edwards.
The position is a shift from that of former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who voted in favour of the previous attempt to legalise assisted dying and gave time for the issue to be debated in Parliament.
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