§ Mr. Hall-Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the national insurance death grant was last inceased; what level it would now be if it had been linked to the retail price index since the date of the last increase; and if he will now raise the grant, in view of the hardship caused by the fact that funeral costs now greatly exceed the grant payable.
§ Mr. OrmeThe standard rate of the death grant was last increased, to £30, in October 1967. To restore the grant to its 1967 monetary value would require the rate to be increased to £94.79—based on the movement in the general index of retail prices between October 1967 and June 1978, the latest date for which a figure is available. As regards the level of the grant, I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Hodgson) on 24th July.—[Vol. 954, c.545–6.]
§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much he estimates it would cost to increase the death grant (a) to £50, (b) to £100, (c) to £150, and (d) to £200 with proportionate increases in the rates for children.
§ Mr. OrmeIt is estimated that the extra annual cost, which includes proportionate increases for children, would be (a) £10 119W million; (b) £35 million; (c) £60 million, and (d) £85 million respectively.