Assisted dying bill in England, Wales faces cabinet split as MPs aim for vote by year's end

MPs supporting a new bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales are pushing for a Commons vote by Christmas. However, a significant split among cabinet ministers is anticipated, with some senior figures remaining undecided about backing the legislation.

The bill, which is set to be introduced later this month by Labour backbencher Kim Leadbeater, will be subject to a free vote. Despite this, several key ministers are expected to oppose the measure, while others, such as Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, are yet to make a decision.

The proposed legislation aims to provide terminally ill adults with the option to shorten the dying process and includes measures to protect patients and their families. 

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband was the first cabinet member to publicly declare his support, telling the BBC: “I understand there are people with very legitimate views on the other side of the argument, but I think the current situation is cruel and awful for many people in the most difficult circumstances. That’s why I’ll be voting for the bill.”

Other ministers who have previously shown support for legalising assisted dying include Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn.

Keir Starmer remains neutral

Labour leader Keir Starmer, while not disclosing how he plans to vote, reaffirmed his commitment to allowing a free vote on the bill. “I made a promise to Esther Rantzen before the election that we would provide time for a debate and a vote on assisted dying, that it would be a free vote. I’m very pleased that I’m able to make good on the promise that I made,” he said.

However, senior ministers like Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who voted against a similar bill in 2015, are expected to oppose the change. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has previously expressed concerns about the law, stating, “once you’ve crossed that line, you’ve crossed it forever.” Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds also voiced opposition, stating, “I would really worry about how we would protect vulnerable people.”

Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who voted against legalising assisted dying in 2015, recently shared his concerns on his LBC radio programme, warning that such legislation could lead to “legalised murder.” However, he has said he remains open to listening to the debate.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who also voted against the 2015 bill, shares similar reservations.

Undecided ministers

Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Health Secretary Wes Streeting have yet to make up their minds on the legislation. Streeting, who supported changes to the law in 2015, has since expressed concerns that the UK's current end-of-life care system may not be adequate for the introduction of assisted dying. He raised fears about vulnerable individuals being pressured into opting for assisted dying due to inadequate care services.

Hospice sector warns of funding crisis

Hospice UK, which represents over 200 hospices, has remained neutral on the issue but warned on Friday that the government's attention is urgently needed to address problems with end-of-life care.

Toby Porter, chief executive of Hospice UK, said: “We have a patchwork of providers, a huge dependence on charitable provision, and a hospice funding crisis. It’s not for Hospice UK to have a view on whether the law on assisted dying should change. But it’s critical that MPs and others in this debate really understand the context into which assisted dying would in theory be introduced."

He added: "Hospices are cutting back their services and making frontline end-of-life care staff redundant because the funds aren’t there to pay them. We are in crisis, and the government needs to put in place a better funding settlement for the hospice sector.”

Similar legislation is under consideration in Scotland, the Isle of Man, and Jersey. Under current law, anyone in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland who assists a loved one in ending their life could face up to 14 years in prison.

When MPs last voted on assisted dying in 2015, a bill introduced by Labour MP Rob Marris proposed that terminally ill people with less than six months to live could be prescribed a lethal dose of medication. However, it was defeated by a margin of 330 votes to 118.

Leadbeater’s upcoming bill is expected to be based on a similar framework put forward by Labour peer Charlie Falconer, but with updated considerations for safeguards.

Lord Falconer, a former justice secretary, has also introduced a separate assisted dying bill in the House of Lords, which is expected to be debated in mid-November.