Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting has explained why he voted against assisted dying legislation in the House of Commons on Friday.

The Assisted Dying Bill was passed by 314 to 291 votes by MPs following an emotionally charged debate.

On his Facebook page, Streeting echoed the concerns expressed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Royal College of Physicians and Association for Palliative Medicine.

Streeting cited former Prime Minister Gordon Brown's concerns of a fear that patients will feel pressure to relieve their relatives of their burden for caring for them.

He also warned providing assisted dying services in the NHS would take ‘time and money', adding: ‘There isn't a budget for this.'

The secretary of state said the DHSC would work ‘continue to work constructively with Parliament to assist on technical aspects of the Bill', which will now go for further scrutiny in the House of Lords.

Healthcare staff were given the right to opt out of assisted dying in an amendment to the Bill in May.