Skip to main content

Written question asked by Roger Godsiff (Labour) on Monday, 5 January 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 7 January 2015. It was answered by Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 12 January 2015 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.


Funeral Payments

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason the amount granted in Social Fund funeral payments has not risen for more than 10 years.

Answer

We are conscious of the rise in burial and cremation fees. That is why the Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment covers specified necessary costs. As these have increased in time, so has that portion of the overall Social Fund Funeral Payment. As such, the Government has protected these payments. The Social Fund Funeral Payment scheme continues to provide help towards a simple, respectful, low-cost funeral and the average funeral expenses payment in 2002/03 was £929 rising in 2013/14 to £1,347.

This Government has also extended the Social Fund Budgeting Loans scheme so that these are also available to those on income related benefits to help towards the costs relating to funeral expenses.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
219706
Session
2014-15
Related items
Funerals
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Written questions
House of Commons
Funerals
Monday, 2 February 2015
Written questions
House of Commons
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Funeral payments
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk