HC Deb 07 February 1979 vol 962 cc216-7W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the value of the death grant when it was first introduced; and what its value today would be if it was upgraded, taking into consideration inflation since it was first introduced.

Mr. Orme

The rate of the death grant when it was introduced in July 1949 was £20. Based on the movement of the General Index of Retail Prices up to December 1978, the latest month for which a figure is available, the grant would need to be increased to about £125 to restore the value it had in July 1949.