CARE responds as new report highlights fresh evidence on the true costs of implementing assisted suicide

A new report from the Nuffield Trust has highlighted the vast complexities and funding challenges associated with implementing assisted suicide which will create yet more funding and staffing pressures on the NHS.

Drawing evidence from 15 countries around the world that meet certain criteria and where assisted suicide is legal, the report says it is the most detailed look yet at what the UK can expect if the Assisted Suicide Bill receives Royal Assent.

The main finding is the considerable costs involved with setting up assisted suicide 'services' with costs expected to rise as the numbers increase over time. Government estimates of offering assisted suicide are based solely on staffing costs. But the report shows additional funding will be needed to cover training, data collection and infrastructure.

The proposed assisted suicide legislation barely made it through the House of Commons at Third Reading (314-291 votes - a vastly reduced majority compared with second reading) and is due to receive its second reading in the House of Lords on Friday 12 September 2025.

Peers have already said they intend to give the legislation careful scrutiny and leading opponent to assisted suicide, Baroness Campbell, who herself has a progressive condition has said the plan is to “amend, amend, amend, amend, amend, so it becomes so tight that anyone would find it difficult to get it”.

Responding to the report, CARE’s Director of Advocacy and former MP Caroline Ansell, said:

“Implementing something as controversial as assisted suicide would have huge ramifications for the whole of the NHS.

“There is no money in the current budget for making it available and even with a lengthy implementation period, the fact is assisted suicide will create further pressure on both financial and staffing resources.

“This report highlights the trends that have been obvious for years, namely that if you legalise assisted suicide, the numbers increase over time and the criteria is always expanded to include more and more people.

“So not only is assisted suicide highly expensive from the start, but the costs will only increase as the whole idea becomes normalised.

“Meanwhile, where will this leave palliative care which is already cripplingly underfunded?

“We are encouraged by the number of Peers in the House of Lords who have made it clear they are determined to give very carefully scrutiny to Kim Leadbeater’s assisted suicide bill.

“Our position remains that this poorly drafted bill should be rejected and the focus should be on properly funding palliative care as the truly compassionate way to help and care for people with a terminal illness.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For interview requests, further reaction, or background: james.mildred@care.org.uk / 07717516814

The full report from the Nuffield Trust can be read on the Trust's website.