Care system needs fixing before new assisted dying debate, says PM
Summary
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said that funding for palliative and social care should improve before England and Wales debate legalizing assisted dying. He personally does not support the new bill from Labour MP Lauren Edwards, showing a different view from former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who backed a previous bill.Key Facts
- Andy Burnham is the Prime Minister of England and Wales.
- He believes better funding for end-of-life care is needed before debating assisted dying laws.
- The government is likely to stay neutral on the assisted dying bill proposed by MP Lauren Edwards.
- Former Prime Minister Keir Starmer supported a similar assisted dying bill.
- In 2025, MPs supported a bill to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives with safeguards, but it failed in the House of Lords.
- Opponents worry the bill could pressure vulnerable people to choose assisted death early.
- Burnham plans to reform social care funding and create a national care service.
- Burnham previously supported assisted dying in principle but wanted better hospice funding first.
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