- Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said that before assisted dying is considered in England and Wales, the funding of palliative and social care should be "fixed".
- Burnham stated, "I take the view that that debate - and I don't say that there shouldn't be a debate at some point about those issues - personally, I think there's something that needs to happen first. That is the fixing of the funding of palliative care and social care."
- In 2025, MPs voted in favour of a bill proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater to legalise assisted dying, but it was not passed by the House of Lords due to an unprecedented number of suggested amendments.
- The proposed law, known as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, would have allowed people over the age of 18 who were expected to die within six months to be given help to end their own life, subject to certain safeguards.
- Burnham's comments came as he announced plans to reform the social care system, with the view to create a national care service and to reach a political consensus on how to fund it.
- In 2024, just before the first Commons vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, Burnham told BBC Manchester he would "probably vote in favour of it" if he was in Parliament.
- Burnham abstained from a 2015 vote on another bill to legalise assisted dying due to concerns over safeguards and people feeling under pressure.
- Burnham stated, "I think we do allow people to suffer and families to suffer too much," emphasizing the need for proper funding for hospices before any new law is implemented.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has made it clear that before any discussions on assisted dying can take place in England and Wales, the funding for palliative and social care must be adequately addressed. He stated, "I take the view that that debate... personally, I think there's something that needs to happen first."1
Burnham's emphasis on fixing funding comes as he announced plans to reform the social care system, aiming to create a national care service and achieve a political consensus on funding. He expressed his belief that the current system allows too much suffering for both patients and families, saying, "I think we do allow people to suffer and families to suffer too much."
In 2025, MPs voted in favor of a bill proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater to legalize assisted dying, but it failed to pass the House of Lords due to numerous amendments that delayed its progress. The proposed Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would have permitted individuals over 18, expected to die within six months, to receive assistance in ending their lives, contingent on certain safeguards.456
Burnham, who previously abstained from a 2015 vote on assisted dying due to concerns over safeguards, indicated that he would likely support the bill if he were in Parliament, provided that hospices are "properly funded and sorted out" before any new law is enacted.
“Burnham's comments come as he announces plans to reform the social care system, aiming to create a national care service and achieve political consensus on funding. He previously abstained from a 2015 vote on assisted dying due to concerns over safeguards, highlighting his cautious approach to the issue.”
