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Government responds to Committee’s report ahead of Parliamentary debate on assisted dying

29 April 2024

The Government has responded to the Committee’s report on Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide.

Later today MPs will debate a petition of more than 200,000 signatures on assisted dying. The Westminster Hall debate calls for the Government to allocate Parliamentary time for assisted dying to be fully debated in the House of Commons and to give MPs a vote on the issue. Today’s debate will not involve a vote or a decision.

The Committee’s report on Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide and the Government’s response to it are linked to today’s debate. 

Chair's comment

Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee Steve Brine MP, who will be speaking in the Westminster Hall debate, said:

“We welcome the government setting out its intention to work closely with the devolved administrations and the Crown Dependencies to discuss the practical implications of any legislation introduced to allow assisted dying/assisted suicide. Ministers expect there to be time for discussion following possible legislation being passed, but we say conversations need to start earlier than that.

“We asked the government to ensure universal coverage of palliative and end of life services, including hospice care at home. With ICBs responsible for commissioning hospice services, there is real concern that under current funding pressures hospice care risks becoming the poor relation. Hospices are facing a tough fundraising landscape under current cost of living pressures with variations in charitable giving across the country. Just last week hospice leaders told us they were extremely worried about not being able to provide support to people who need it. In its response the government has acknowledged there are disparities in access to hospice services, particularly for those living deprived areas. This is unacceptable and more must be done to address this inequality to ensure that everyone can access hospice services, no matter where in the country they live.”

Further information

Image credit: House of Commons