Assisted dying proposal clears latest Commons test amid money questions
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A proposed law to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales has passed its latest Commons test, amid questions about the cost implications for taxpayers. MPs approved a money resolution that would provide the legal basis for public spending connected to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill should it become law.
No formal vote was required on the motion despite fears from the Bill’s sponsor, Kim Leadbeater, Labour MP for Spen Valley, that opponents of assisted dying wanted to block the Bill using “procedural manoeuvring”. The Bill could see terminally ill adults in England and Wales, with under six months to live, legally allowed to end their lives, subject to approval by two doctors and a High Court judge.
Health minister Stephen Kinnock said the money resolution was required to allow the Bill’s committee stage, where amendments can be tabled, to consider the clause which has spending implications. Mr Kinnock, who said the Government maintains its neutral stance on the Bill, told the Commons: “Tabling this money resolution allows further debate to happen.
“To assist that debate, the Government will also assess the impacts of the Bill. “We expect to publish the impact assessment before MPs consider the Bill at report stage.”. For the Conservatives, shadow justice minister Dr Kieran Mullan said: “These are not merely procedural or technical issues. The Government’s tabling of this money motion signals an acceptance that should the Bill become law the financial costs will need to be met and these will not be a minor area of expenditure.
