§ Mr. OlnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when funeral payments were last capped; and when he will implement the recommendation of the Social Security Committee that the cap on funeral payments should be increased. [83238]
§ Malcolm WicksThe present Social Fund funeral payments scheme was introduced in 1997. On 27 November, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his pre-Budget report that a further £15 million will be made available for the scheme. This means that from this coming April, the amount allowed for funeral expenses not specified in regulations will rise from £600 to £700.