Health Secretary suggests UK not ready for assisted suicide

The state of end of life care in the UK means the country is not ready for assisted suicide, the Health and Social Care Secretary has said.

Wes Streeting's remarks come as the House of Lords gears up to debate Lord Falconer's latest attempt to change the law via his Assisted Dying (Terminally Ill Adults) Bill.

MPs may also get a chance to debate assisted suicide after Labour MP Jake Andrews, who came no 11 in the private members' bill ballot, said his preference was to introduce an assisted suicide bill.

Speaking at the Financial Times Weekend Festival, Mr Streeting warned that parliamentarians must ensure 'people aren't coerced into exercising their right to die' because of a lack of quality end of life care.

He said 'I am not sure as a country we have the right end-of-life care available to enable a real choice on assisted dying'.

In Scotland, MSPs will have the opportunity to debate Liam McArthur's assisted suicide bill, provided the Health Committee recommend the legislation proceeds. The committee is currently reviewing responses to its public consultation.

The last time MPs voted on assisted suicide, a bill was defeated by 330-118.