§ Mr. Staintonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the death grant has remained fixed at £30 since 1967; and why he will not use his powers under Section 124 of the Social Security Act 1975 to increase this, in view of the average cost of a funeral now being in the region of £200.
§ Mr. OrmeSince the present Government took office in 1974 we have kept the rate of death grant under review. However, we feel that the limited resources at present available for improving our social security provisions should be devoted to maintaining the real value of pensions and other regular weekly benefits and to the continuing development of provision for the disabled.