Planned welfare cuts could push to some to assisted suicide

A leading Paralympian and Peer has warned that possible welfare cuts could push people with a chronic illness and a disability towards choosing an assisted suicide.

Tanni Grey-Thompson was discussing the risks that threaten the lives of disabled and terminally ill individuals on Times Radio.

The crossbench peer has been vocal about her concerns over the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - assisted suicide legislation - which is going through the House of Commons.

She warned that cuts to welfare benefits - rumoured to be part of the Chancellor's upcoming Spring Statement - will create unbearable living conditions, compelling people to choose assisted suicide.

Her comments simply reflect wider concerns within the disability community over the pressures that could easily arise due to the proposed assisted suicide law.

In November 2024, MPs voted 330-275 in favour of the legislation that would allow terminally adults in England and Wales with six months or less to live the option of an assisted suicide.

Since then, the legislation has been scrutinised by a committee, stacked in favour of the Bill.

Key amendments that would help mitigate the proposed law have been rejected and the Bill sponsor, Kim Leadbeater MP, has already been forced to ditch the plan to allow High Court Judges to scrutinise every request.

Third Reading is expected to take place at the end of April or early May.

Please use our email tool to ask your MP to vote against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at Third Reading.