Assisted dying / suicide is about more than an individual choice; it impacts communities and is of public interest. If the proposals are successful, they will fundamentally change a society’s relationship with the health and social care sector. People will go from receiving a duty of care to feeling a duty to die if they are concerned about being a burden to loved ones.
Assisted suicide is about more than an individual choice; it impacts communities and is of public interest. If the proposals are successful, they will fundamentally change a society’s relationship with the health and social care sector. People will go from receiving a duty of care to feeling a duty to die if they are concerned about being a burden to loved ones.
For the past 20 years, we have engaged with the issue in the media and in parliament, and the current proposals are the most significant attempt to change the law in many years. Our motivation is based on the fundamental truth that all human life is valuable and should be protected. However, our concerns are shared with many people of different belief systems as well.
We believe legalising assisted suicide in the UK will lead to unintended consequences, particularly for those living in socially deprived communities, with learning and physical disabilities, the elderly or those suffering with mental distress.
Engaging with the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
Is the assisted suicide bill finished?
Will the assisted dying bill make a return?
Assisted suicide rejected by Scottish Parliament
In rejecting the proposed new law politicians vote to protect life and the dignity of all, especially the most vulnerable
Pray with us ahead of the assisted suicide votes in Westminster and Holyrood
Christians across the UK will be praying that politicians choose life and vote against these proposals. Will you join in?The church can, and should, offer a pastoral perspective on this debate. Christians have been at the forefront of the hospice and palliative care movements, and we continue to give dignity to each person in the final days of their life.
Improving end of life care in the UK
Public policy work in the Senedd, Holyrood and Westminster. We take a collaborative approach, working with member organisations, across party parliamentarians, disability charities and those in hospice care and the NHS.
Issue Briefing on Assisted Dying
Equipping Christians to engage both pastorally and politically on this issue
MSPs must vote against the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill at its final stage
Chris Ringland shares the latest on the bill in Scotland and what happens next
A glimmer of hope: the Lords is uncovering the truth about assisted suicide
Why is additional scrutiny such good news for this debate?
An update on the push for assisted suicide in Westminster and Scotland
Mark Gilmore highlights four key concerns following recent government debates
Email your MP to vote no to assisted suicide
Assisted dying bill reaches a critical point in its parliamentary process
"It's important for people to have a good death," says Rachael Maskell MP
Watch our Cross Section interview with Rachael Maskell MP about palliative care, safeguards and how we journey with those who are suffering
Kim Leadbeater replaces High Court judge with assisted dying review panels
Backbench Labour MPs are vocalising their concerns in response to Leadbeater’s U-turn
Assisted dying law – what comes next?
Danny Webster reflects on the vote in parliament to progress the bill to permit assisted dying and what will happen for it to become law
Parliament set to debate and vote on legalising assisted dying in England and Wales
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will have its second reading on 29 November. Learn what’s being proposed and how to engage your local MP ahead of the debate.
What’s wrong with a bill seeking to introduce assisted suicide?
Danny Webster, director of advocacy outlines the significance of the proposed End of Life Bill and why we must act now to oppose it
How might we approach the conversation on Assisted Dying?
David Smyth shares his reflections on the upcoming Assisted Dying private members bill and how we can put this into context as Christians
Assisted Dying Inquiry: important things you need to know
In our response to an inquiry by the Health and Social Care Committee, we encouraged MPs to prioritise improving palliative care, instead of legalising assisted suicide
Why we must oppose assisted dying proposals in Scotland
Good intentions are not enough when it comes to policymaking for life and death
New plans to allow assisted dying must be strongly opposed
Plans will be introduced into parliament to permit assisting a terminally ill person to die
Assisted suicide would lead to more suffering, not less
We’re encouraging our members to make their views known to the Scottish Parliament on this important issue
Understanding key terms
Assisted dying: proponents of the assisted dying bill in 2015 in England and Wales argue that this term best describes prescribing life ending drugs for terminally ill mentally competent adults to administer themselves after meeting strict legal safeguards.
Assisted suicide describes giving assistance to die to people with long term progressive conditions and other people who are not dying in addition to patients with a long-term illness. The drugs are self-administered.
Voluntary euthanasia: this describes a doctor directly administrating life-ending drugs to a patient who has given consent.
