Assisted Dying Bill Faces Mid-June Vote

An official impact assessment estimates that if assisted dying is legalized in England and Wales, applications could reach up to 7,600 annually within a decade, though only about 60% are expected to meet strict eligibility criteria requiring approval from two doctors and a multi-disciplinary panel. The number of actual assisted deaths could be up to 4,559 per year by that time, representing less than 1% of all deaths. NHS savings are projected between £5.8 million and £59.6 million annually after ten years, largely from reduced end-of-life care costs, while operational expenses—including training, staffing, and panel reviews—are expected to exceed £10 million per year. The full cost-benefit outcome is still uncertain, as not all implementation costs are known. The bill, led by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, faces a key parliamentary vote in mid-June. The government remains neutral but some ministers and MPs have expressed opposition, citing concerns about NHS resource allocation.