Disabled and terminally ill campaigners have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, urging him to prioritise the reform of social and palliative care before the introduction of assisted dying legislation in England and Wales.
The group, Assist Us To Live, argues that people are currently being "failed by society" and that "introducing assisted dying in these circumstances will put sick and disabled people's lives at risk." They are calling for more funding for palliative care and for the government to abolish the social care savings threshold for working-age people.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham believes that the funding of palliative and social care should be "fixed" before assisted dying is considered. The government is expected to remain officially neutral on the proposed Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
The bill, reintroduced by Labour MP Lauren Edwards in June, would permit individuals over 18 with a life expectancy of six months to seek assistance to end their lives, subject to safeguards. It is due to be debated in the House of Commons on 11 September.
Opponents, including the Equality and Human Rights Commission, express concerns that the legislation could have particular impacts on older and disabled people, potentially creating pressure to end their lives prematurely due to societal attitudes and a lack of support services.