The government has expressed concerns about the timeline for implementing assisted dying, the BBC understands, before measures were tabled to delay when it could be available.Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP bringing the bill, said she was “disappointed” to be proposing deferring when it must be in force by until 2029.Some MPs expressed concern this was the same year as the next general election was due.Officials and civil servants have been advising Leadbeater on drafting amendments, including suggesting changes the government wants.A spokesman for Leadbeater said: “Kim hopes and believes the service can be delivered more quickly if it becomes law later this year.”Part of the reason for postponing the deadline is to allow time to set up training and systems for what would be an entirely new service. Changes made to the bill since MPs voted in favour, including a new commission and panel system to oversee application, have added to that.Leadbeater’s new amendment changes the maximum implementation period from two years to four years. However if all the systems are ready before four years, assisted dying will go ahead earlier than the deadline.It is understood there is disagreement among ministers about the delay to implementation, with some believing it is a mistake.The government is officially neutral on the bill with many ministers supporting it.”I cannot pretend that I’m not disappointed about extending the commencement period,” Leadbeater told MPs on the committee tasked with scrutinising …
