The Bishop of London has called the government’s impact assessment of the Assisted Dying Bill a “chilling read”, warning it highlights the risks faced by vulnerable groups.

The report, released late on Friday as local election results came in, estimates nearly 800 assisted deaths could occur in the first year if the law is passed in England and Wales. It also outlines annual running costs of up to £13.6 million for a commissioner and expert panels, and projects major savings in care and benefits spending.

Rt Rev Sarah Mullally said: “The impact assessment... makes for chilling reading as it highlights particular groups who would be put at risk... including those who are subject to health inequalities, and those vulnerable to domestic abuse.

“It also sets out the financial savings of introducing an assisted dying service, through reduction in care costs, palliative and end of life care costs and state-provided benefits."

She added: “It is crude to see these cost savings set out in this way... it is easy to see how numbers of this nature could contribute to someone feeling that they should pursue an assisted death rather than receive care.”

The 149-page document was published two weeks before MPs are due to debate the Bill, which would allow terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live to request an assisted death, subject to medical and panel approval.

Mullally concluded: “Each human life is immeasurably more valuable than the money that may be saved... We must oppose any change in the law that puts the vulnerable at risk rather than working to improve access to desperately needed palliative care.”