§ 52. Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ensure that funds are available to all families in need in order to enable them to bury the dead with dignity.
§ Dr. BoysonThe Government are considering how present resources could be used to give more effective help to bereaved families in greatest need. Meanwhile, help with funeral costs is already available for bereaved families on supplementary benefit where they are responsible for paying for the funeral of a close relative but cannot meet the cost. The increase in the supplementary benefit single payments limit from £300 to £500 in November, coupled with the separate disregard of the first £1,500 surrender value of life assurance policies, will help to ensure that money set aside for a claimant's funeral will not have to be used to meet other expenses that could otherwise be met through the scheme.