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Written question asked by Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party) on Thursday, 19 December 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 January 2025. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 January 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Euthanasia: Finance

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that there will be no cuts to the other parts of the health budget to pay for assisted dying if it is legalised in the UK.

Answer

As per long-standing convention, the Prime Minister has set aside collective responsibility on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life Care) Bill, so the Government will remain neutral on the passage of the bill. As with all bills, there are multiple stages for it to go through before it can become law, and this continues to be a matter for Parliament.

If the will of Parliament is that the law on assisting dying should change, the Government would work to ensure that the law is implemented in the way that Parliament intends and that is legally effective.

Autumn Budget 2024 set budgets for this year and the next financial year. Funding for future years and future decisions across the health budget will be decided through the normal spending review process.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3681
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Health services Finance Euthanasia
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk