The Salvation Army's response to the Assisted Suicide Bill

The Salvation Army is disappointed that the House of Commons has voted to allow the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to 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.

Drawing on our experience as a major provider of help and support for vulnerable people, we are gravely concerned that the bill is weighted in favour of those with better access to care, health resources and support networks.

However, we will continue to engage with the debate as it moves into the House of Lords, as we want to ensure that the Bill contains much stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable people from coercion and ensure that they have capacity to make informed decisions about their final days. 

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.