§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the assumed cost of a funeral within the Social Fund was last revised. [110898]
§ Angela EagleThere is no assumed cost of a funeral within the Social Fund Funeral Payment scheme.
Under current legislation, where an eligible person is deemed to have good reason for taking responsibility for funeral expenses, the scheme allows for the fees levied by the burial authorities and crematoria (in so far as it is necessary to incur them), specified travel expenses and up to £600 for any other funeral expenses.
We do not plan any further reforms in the immediate future but will continue to keep the scheme under review.