Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Money) 2025-01-22

22 January 2025 · 17 other contributors

Opened by The Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock Lab Lab

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

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.

Key points

  • Today I move a money resolution for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
  • The Government remains neutral on the merits of the Bill but is facilitating its progress in line with parliamentary procedures
  • An impact assessment will be published before MPs consider the Bill on Report

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

The Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock

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.

Other contributors (17)
  • 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.

  • Liz Saville Roberts PC 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

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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