Written question asked by Ann Keen (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 May 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 May 2006. It was answered by James Plaskitt (Labour) on Monday, 22 May 2006 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Social Fund

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to change the funding available to the social fund funeral scheme.

Answer: The regulated social fund of which the funeral payment scheme is a part is not cash limited or subject to budgetary constraints.Funeral payments from the social fund cover the cost of certain necessary charges in full; these include fees levied by burial authorities and crematoria. An additional sum of up to £700 is allowed for other funeral expenses, which give the person arranging the funeral the freedom to select items or services they consider appropriate. Although there are no plans to make changes to the funeral payment scheme at this time the level of help is kept under review.

Secondary information