Assisted dying bill expected to fail as Andy Burnham prioritises social care

The Times reports that asked about his position on assisted dying, Burnham said: “I think there’s something that needs to happen first. That is the fixing of the funding of palliative care and social care. I think it is very challenging to introduce that wider debate in a context of people not receiving that care and having the peace of mind about that care. That’s the way I kind of see this, and that’s the position that I will stick to.”

A source said: "Andy has nailed his colours to the mast — it is not dignity or choice if you’re forced into it because the palliative care system is so bad and doesn’t support the vulnerable people. This is a major switch from a prime minister who was basically backing it to one that says ‘not now’.

“Before backbench MPs understood that the prime minister was in support. That all changes now.”

Read report (£) in the Times here