§ Mr. GunnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes have been made to the social fund funeral expenses regulations following those published in Cm 2858 in May. [31710]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe Social Fund Maternity and Funeral Expenses (General) Amendments Regulations (SI 1995/1229) were laid on 9 May this year and came into force on 5 June.
The funeral payment scheme covers all the reasonable costs of burial or cremation disbursements arranged by the funeral director and allows up to £500 for his services. Everyone who is entitled to help with arranging a funeral through the social fund will be able to choose either a burial or cremation in all parts of the country. So total costs paid by the taxpayer could, in the case of burials, exceed £1,000.
A copy of the regulations is available in the Library.