The Health Secretary has said she is concerned that legalizing assisted dying could make terminally ill people feel “guilt” and end their lives.

Last week it emerged that Wes Streeting had privately told colleagues he would vote against the proposal next month.

MPs are to debate the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on November 29 before voting on it.

Streeting told BBC Breakfast on Tuesday that he was “concerned about the risk of people being forced to take their own lives sooner than they wanted to, or feeling like a burden, racked with guilt.”

He too Reiterated his view that the palliative care system “is not where it should be To give people real choices”.

proposal in BillWhich was put forward by Labor MP Kim Leadbeater, would give terminally ill people in England and Wales the right to end their lives.

Scotland is also considering changes For law.

MPs at Westminster will be given an independent vote, meaning they can choose based on their conscience rather than following the party line.

Streeting said the government would “respect and act on” the outcome of the vote on an “incredibly difficult and complex issue”.

Assisted dying typically refers to a person seeking medical assistance rather than receiving lethal medications, which they self-administer.

Ms Leadbetter has previously said: “The current situation is not particularly safe and really is not the choice that I believe people deserve and should have.”

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “Very pleased” MPs will get chance to vote on issue – and he will look at the details of the bill to decide his vote.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said that she will not support the bill because of her “unwavering belief in the sanctity and value of human life”.