Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, has declared her support for the assisted dying bill, becoming the first cabinet minister to publicly confirm her vote for the proposal since it was published.

This comes amidst a growing debate over the potential impact of the bill.

The legislation, a private member's bill led by Labour's Kim Leadbeater, has sparked controversy, particularly following comments from Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Streeting warned that introducing assisted dying could place a financial burden on NHS resources, which has stirred backlash among supporters.

Additional cabinet ministers, including Peter Kyle, Ed Miliband, Lisa Nandy, Lucy Powell, and Jo Stevens, have also expressed their backing for the bill.

However, opinion in the House remains divided with some MPs undecided as the first Commons vote approaches.

Streeting has commissioned a review to assess the fiscal implications of the policy, citing concerns that it may necessitate resource reallocation within the NHS.

This has been met with criticism, as advocates argue the projected costs, based on a Scottish parliament assessment, are minimal relative to NHS budgets.

Veteran Labour MP Margaret Hodge and other bill supporters have publicly questioned Streeting's financial concerns, suggesting they distract from the moral imperative of providing end-of-life choices to patients.

Leadbeater's bill outlines extensive safeguards, including stringent penalties for coercion and judicial oversight, to address ethical considerations.

The matter remains contentious with both legislative and public opinion sharply polarized.