A group of disability and terminally ill campaigners has called on Prime Prime Minister Andy Burnham to postpone legislation on assisted dying until social and palliative care services are reformed in England and Wales. The organization, Assist Us To Live, stated that introducing assisted dying under current circumstances would put the lives of sick and disabled people at risk, arguing that these individuals are currently "failed by society."
Burnham has expressed a personal belief that funding for palliative and social care must be addressed before assisted dying is considered. While the government is expected to maintain official neutrality on the matter, Burnham's stance suggests he would not support the proposed bill.
Supporters of the bill contend that enhancements to care services and the provision of "autonomy" for terminally ill individuals over their final weeks should be pursued concurrently. The proposed legislation, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, would permit individuals aged 18 and over, with a prognosis of six months or less to live, to receive assistance in ending their life, provided specific safeguards are met. The bill clarifies that having a disability in itself would not qualify someone for assisted dying.
This is the second time a private member's bill on this topic has been brought before the House of Commons. A similar bill, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater in 2025, was approved by MPs but ultimately did not pass the House of Lords due to an extensive number of proposed amendments that ran out of time. Labour MP Lauren Edwards reintroduced an identical bill in June, aiming to "finish the job" started by Leadbeater. The bill is scheduled for debate in the Commons on September 11.
Critics of the bill have raised concerns about its potential flaws and the risks it could pose to disabled individuals, suggesting it might create pressure for them to end their lives. The Equality and Human Rights Commission, the UK's statutory regulator, indicated that the legislation is "likely to have particular impacts on people with certain protected characteristics, especially older and disabled people." Baroness Falkner, chair of the commission, previously stated that while the bill includes safeguards against direct coercion, societal attitudes and a lack of necessary support and services could lead disabled and older disabled individuals to feel pressured into ending their lives prematurely.
Edwards has countered these concerns by pointing out that the bill includes a four-year implementation period, which would allow for improvements in end-of-life care before any assisted dying service could be established.