Concerns Over Scotland's Assisted Dying Bill and Potential Death Tourism

A proposed assisted dying bill in Scotland has raised concerns among senior politicians regarding the potential for "death tourism." This term refers to the possibility that individuals from England and Wales, where stricter eligibility criteria are being considered, may travel to Scotland to take advantage of its more lenient regulations. The Scottish bill, which is set for a final vote in February 2026, allows individuals with an advanced and progressive illness to apply for assisted dying without a specified time limit, provided they have resided in Scotland for at least a year.

The bill has garnered attention from various political figures. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, along with other members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), has expressed concerns about the implications of the bill. Edward Mountain, a Scottish Conservative MSP and cancer patient, warned that the legislation could lead to terminally ill individuals seeking assisted dying in Scotland rather than adhering to the stricter six-month rule proposed for England and Wales. He stated, “There is always the chance that people will see Scotland... as an easier place to end your life than down south.”

Conversely, Liam McArthur, a Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP and proponent of the bill, downplayed these concerns. He argued that the practical challenges of relocating while terminally ill would deter most individuals from pursuing this option. McArthur emphasized the need for MSPs to consider the unique aspects of Scotland's legal and health systems when evaluating the bill.

Critics of the bill, including Michael Marra, a Scottish Labour frontbencher, have highlighted the lack of thorough exploration regarding how the differing assisted dying laws in Scotland and England and Wales might interact. Marra noted that attempts to tighten the bill had been rejected, raising concerns about its potential consequences. Forbes also expressed apprehension that the broader definitions in the bill could lead individuals to choose assisted dying for reasons unrelated to terminal illness, such as mental health issues.

The debate surrounding the assisted dying bill has prompted a range of official responses. Forbes articulated her worries about the implications of the bill, stating that it could lead to unnecessary choices for individuals with potentially years to live. Meanwhile, McArthur defended the bill, asserting that it is based on best practices from around the world and tailored to Scotland's specific context.

While proponents of the bill argue that the logistical challenges of relocating would mitigate the risk of death tourism, critics maintain that the potential for individuals to seek assisted dying in Scotland remains a significant concern. The debate continues to evolve as the bill approaches its final vote, with both sides presenting compelling arguments regarding its implications for terminally ill individuals in the UK.

• “There is always the chance that people will see Scotland, if this bill passed, which I hasten to say I hope it doesn’t, is an easier place to end your life than down south.” — Edward Mountain, Scottish Conservative MSP

• “ McArthur added: “Ultimately, both my bill and the one going through the UK parliament build on best practice from around the world but there are distinct elements to the Scottish legal and health systems.” — Liam McArthur, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP

• “It’s a very complex issue, about how the two systems might interact,” — Michael Marra, Scottish Labour frontbencher