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Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Money) 2025-01-22
22 January 2025
Lead MP
The Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 17
At a Glance
The Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock raised concerns about terminally ill adults (end of life) bill (money) 2025-01-22 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Government Statement
Today, I move a money resolution for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. This is necessary to allow the Public Bill Committee to consider the clause that would have spending implications and ensure further debate can happen. The Government remain neutral on the merits of the Bill but are facilitating its progress in line with parliamentary procedures. We will assess the impacts of the Bill, and an impact assessment will be published before MPs consider it on Report.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
There are concerns from those of us who voted against the assisted dying Bill. I understand the process, but a secrecy process has now been brought into the Bill and we do not know what is happening.
Minister reply
This is a standard procedure that comes before this House all the time. Without it, there can be no Bill.
Kim Leadbeater
Lab
Spen Valley
Question
On 29 November last year, in a debate widely described as showing Parliament at its best, this House sent the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill into Committee for scrutiny by a majority of 55. It is the clear will of this place that the Bill should be allowed to proceed.
Minister reply
The right time to discuss the detail of what expenditure may be required is when we know the final shape of the Bill.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
Question
Should the Committee that considers the Bill have the impact assessment that allows it to scrutinise it line by line, mindful of the implications that it might have on our health service and our judiciary?
Minister reply
A lot of work is being done to look at the workability and operability of the Bill. Conversations will continue alongside the work of the Committee.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Question
Does she share my hope that there will be no vote against the money resolution because such a vote would end debate?
Minister reply
Having done such a powerful job of debating this issue on Second Reading, it is crucial that we continue that debate in the right manner.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
Question
Questions the open-ended commitment of the money resolution and its potential impact on the NHS budget. Expresses concern about resource allocation to judicial functions required by the Bill.
Maya Ellis
Lab
Ribble Valley
Question
Highlights the disparity in funding between assisted dying and other areas of healthcare, such as maternity services, and argues against a commitment to fund dignity at the end of life when it is not guaranteed throughout other stages.
Kit Malthouse
Con
North West Hampshire
Question
Supports the money resolution for the sake of reputation and clarity. Emphasises that micromanaging spending on specific healthcare services would be impractical. Urges Members to vote in favour, noting the cost implications already faced by patients receiving expensive care.
Paula Barker
Lab
Liverpool Wavertree
Question
Urges inclusivity and respect in debate. Stresses that the money resolution is standard procedure for any Bill, not an opportunity to discuss its merits or demerits.
Brian Mathew
LD
Melksham and Devizes
Question
Would the hon. Member for Spen Valley (Kim Leadbeater) and the Minister consider the inclusion of two social workers on the group that assesses requests for assisted dying?
Minister reply
Not provided in the transcript.
David Smith
Lab
North Northumberland
Question
How does the Bill affect funding and resource allocation, especially concerning end-of-life care and hospice services?
Minister reply
The Minister did not provide a direct response in the transcript.
Ben Spencer
Con
Runnymede and Weybridge
Question
What are the financial implications of the Assisted Dying Bill, particularly concerning health liability, legal aid, and private versus public delivery?
Minister reply
The Minister did not provide a direct response in the transcript.
Antonia Bance
Lab
Tipton and Wednesbury
Question
What are the costs associated with implementing the Assisted Dying Bill, especially concerning NHS resources and court system pressures?
Minister reply
The Minister did not provide a direct response in the transcript.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Question
How does the Bill affect health and justice resources in Wales, considering that health is devolved while justice remains reserved?
Minister reply
The Minister did not provide a direct response in the transcript.
Anna Dixon
Lab
Shipley
Question
Colleagues will know that I put forward a reasoned amendment on Second Reading... What about the costs of the lethal drugs?
Minister reply
I thank Members for their continued contribution to the debate. The Government are of the view that the Bill is an issue of conscience for individual parliamentarians and it is rightly a matter for Parliament, not the Government, to decide.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Question
There is no more important function for Members of this House than that of being the guardians of public money... Will he include current Government expenditure on palliative care and suicide prevention?
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
Question
It is mind-blowing that there is no money to pay for winter fuel payments... yet the House is about to approve the provision of a bottomless pot of money...
Shadow Comment
Dr Kieran Mullan
Shadow Comment
The Opposition takes a neutral stance on the Bill's merits but urges the Government to provide more clarity on how they intend to resource any eventual service, including internal estimates of costs and potential sources of funding. Dr Mullan questions whether the Government has produced internal estimates or identified potential funding sources for the service, raising concerns about the impact on existing services.
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