§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest value of the purchasing power of the death grant; and how this compares with the average cost of a funeral.
§ Mr. OrmeIn October 1967, when the death grant was raised to its present level of £30, it represented about one-third of the cost of an average funeral. Current funeral costs vary widely, but the average is estimated to be around £170, of which the death grant represents some 18 per cent.