No budget for assisted dying service, health secretary says

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said there is no budget for an assisted dying service, which MPs narrowly backed in a landmark vote on Friday.

Streeting, who was one of the most senior opponents of the legislation, posted a lengthy message on his Facebook page explaining why he voted against the legislation.

Among other reasons, he said there was already a lack of access to high quality end-of-life care on top of tightened finances within the NHS, which could add to the pressure faced by dying patients.

Streeting said he would “make sure that we do a good job with it for the country” if the legislation becomes law, but he worried MPs had made the wrong choice.

The government remains neutral on the bill, which cleared the Commons with a majority of 23 votes on Friday and will now be…