Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

The Salvation Army is disappointed that the House of Commons voted to give a Second Reading to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, and that it will now continue its passage through Parliament. 

While we agree with campaigners on all sides that everyone should have the chance of a dignified death, we do not believe that this bill achieves that.

We are gravely concerned that the bill is weighted in favour of those with better access to care, health resources and support networks.

As a church, we do not agree with the concept of legalised assisted suicide as we believe that every human life is a gift from God. We will continue to engage with the debate as it moves through its committee stage. 

The focus of Parliament must be on allowing people to live life to the full, especially for those who do not have the means to access some of the very basics in life that many of us take for granted. 

We will also continue to argue for proper funding of palliative care to ensure individuals receive physical, emotional, and spiritual support.