§ 17. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest figures available for the percentage of burial and cremation expenses represented by the death grant: if he will now take steps materially to increase this grant; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe costs of burials and cremations vary widely, but on the assumption that an average funeral now costs between £250 and £300, the death grant represents between 12 per cent. and 10 per cent. of the cost. As the hon. Gentleman is aware, we have for some time been considering the whole question of the death grant. We shall make an announcement about our conclusions as soon as ever possible.
§ Mr. RobertsDoes the hon. Lady accept that it is high time that something was done? Is it not disgraceful that elderly persons are afraid of not being able to meet the cost of their own burial? Widows and widowers have to turn to supplementary benefit to obtain 186 money to meet the cost of burying their life partner. Does not the hon. Lady feel that it is time to bring the death grant to a level much more in line with the actual cost of burial and to have it linked to the cost of living?
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe shall resolve this issue as soon as possible. It has proved much more complicated than the Opposition have recognised.