Carlisle MP Julie Minns has said she ‘welcomes’ an upcoming debate on assisted dying in the House of Commons.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater will formally introduce a private member’s bill (PMB) on assisted dying on October 16, with a debate and initial vote on the matter possible within weeks.

It will be the first time the topic has been debated in the House of Commons since 2015, when an assisted dying bill was defeated.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously promised Labour MPs that they can vote with their conscience on the issue.

Opponents to changing the law have argued some people could feel pressured to have an assisted death against their will, and have called for more focus on improving and ensuring equal access to palliative care.

Campaigners who are terminally ill or have watched loved ones die in pain have called the existing legislation “unbelievably cruel” and pointed out that animals suffering severely can be legally euthanised.

During Prime Minister’s Questions, former Conservative leadership contender Sir David Davis said the Prime Minister needs to make sure the legislation is “right first time”, with Sir Keir Starmer responding that any legal changes in the area need to be “effective”.

Carlisle MP Julie Minns said that she ‘cannot’ say how she will vote until the bill is published but said that she would ‘closely’ scrutinise the bill to ‘ensure it has robust safeguards’.

“The debate on assisted dying is a complex and emotive issue and I recognise that there are strongly held ethical and moral views on both sides,” she said.

“The high level of public interest in this issue is borne out by the amount of constituent correspondence I have received, and I welcome the debate.

“The Bill has not yet been published, and until I see its provisions I cannot say how I will vote.

“However, I will be scrutinising the Bill closely to ensure it has robust safeguards to protect those who would not choose an assisted death.

“I believe that assisted dying should never become an alternative to high-quality palliative and end-of-life care.

“People deserve dignity in dying, and each person nearing the end of their life should feel reassured and safe in the knowledge they will receive the very best care.”