1-13 of 13 results for subject:Funerals
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To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information his Department provides on (a) the average cost of a funeral and (b) potential sources of financial support for a funeral to families of the recently deceased who are in receipt of state benefits.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information his Department provides on (a) the average cost of a funeral and (b) potential sources of financial support for a funeral to families of the recently deceased who are in receipt of state benefits.
My department does not hold information on the average cost of a funeral. However the average funeral expenses payment for 2013/14 was £1,347.
My department provides financial support towards a funeral to those on certain state benefits via Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payments and Budgeting Loans.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people who are unable to afford a simple, respectful low-cost funeral due to the declining value in real terms year-on-year of Social Fund funeral payments.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people who are unable to afford a simple, respectful low-cost funeral due to the declining value in real terms year-on-year of Social Fund funeral payments.
My department does not collect data to monitor the types of funerals people choose.
We are conscious of the rise in burial and cremation fees which is why the Social Fund Funeral Expenses scheme covers in full specified necessary costs, such as the necessary costs of buying a new burial plot for the deceased or the cost of any necessary doctor’s certificates for example; plus a significant contribution towards other costs of up to £700. As such, the Government has protected these payments.
The Social Fund Funeral Payment scheme continues to provide help towards a funeral and is not intended to meet all costs that could be associated with the day. The overall average award for 2003/4 was £1019 and in 2013/14 it was £1347. Because we still pay in full the necessary costs the average award is now 32% higher.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 5 January 2015 to Question 219706, what criteria he has used to (a) specify the costs which are necessary for a simple, respectful, low-cost funeral and (b) determine the level of those costs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 5 January 2015 to Question 219706, what criteria he has used to (a) specify the costs which are necessary for a simple, respectful, low-cost funeral and (b) determine the level of those costs.
The Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment provides help towards the cost of funerals for eligible claimants. The amount allowable covers in full the necessary costs, for a burial or cremation. The scheme also provides a significant contribution of up to £700 towards other costs.
Full details about the scheme can be found on the gov.uk website at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/373209/dmgch39.pdf paragraph 39261 onwards.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his Answer of 5 January 2015 to Question 219706, what estimate he has made of the number of people who went into debt in order to pay for a funeral in the last period for which figures are...
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his Answer of 5 January 2015 to Question 219706, what estimate he has made of the number of people who went into debt in order to pay for a funeral in the last period for which figures are...
My department does not collect this information.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that funerals are affordable.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that funerals are affordable.
As the funeral sector is subject to consumer regulation and many crematoriums and burial plots are the responsibility of local authorities my department cannot influence funeral costs. However, it does operate the Social Fund Funeral Payment scheme which continues to provide help towards a simple, respectful, low-cost funeral for those who are eligible. In 2013/14, over 33,000 awards were made worth £44.4 million, with an average award of £1,347.
This Government has extended the Budgeting Loan provision to include funeral expenses. This helps where a deposit is required up front, or towards the balance of costs that a Social Fund Funeral Payment cannot meet.
This Government has also introduced the measure whereby any arrears of benefit, which were due to the deceased at date of death, are disregarded. This means that such arrears are no longer deducted from the Funeral Payment award.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to support people with the rising cost of funerals.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to support people with the rising cost of funerals.
The Social Fund Funeral Payment scheme continues to provide help towards a simple, respectful, low-cost funeral. In 2012-13, over 35,000 awards were made worth £42.7 million, with an average award of £1,225.
Social Fund Budgeting Loans are also available to those on income related benefits to cover costs relating to funeral expenses.
In addition, any arrears of benefit which were due to the deceased at date of death are disregarded. This means that such arrears are no longer deducted from the funeral payment award.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Social Fund budgeting loan applications to pay for funeral expenses have been (a) received and (b) awarded; and what the total cost of the awards was in each month since May 2012.
[163855]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Social Fund budgeting loan applications to pay for funeral expenses have been (a) received and (b) awarded; and what the total cost of the awards was in each month since May 2012.
[163855]
DWP does not hold information on the reasons why budgeting loans were requested. Consequently, it is not possible to provide statistics on the number of budgeting loans that were taken out to contribute to funeral costs. The only figures available are for applications made directly to the Social Fund's funeral payment scheme.
Table 1 provides the number of funeral payment applications received, awards made and total expenditure made monthly between May 2012 and June 2013 inclusive.
| Table
1: Funeral payment applications, awards and expenditure between May
2012 and June
2013 | |||
| Applications | Awards | Expenditure
(£) | |
| May
2012 | 5,580 | 2,770 | 3,404,300 |
| June
2012 | 6,300 | 3,300 | 4,051,500 |
| July
2012 | 5,250 | 2,910 | 3,601,000 |
| August
2012 | 5,460 | 3,010 | 3,774,500 |
| September
2012 | 5,480 | 3,020 | 3,796,700 |
| October
2012 | 4,890 | 2,640 | 3,315,000 |
| November
2012 | 5,260 | 2,990 | 3,745,000 |
| December
2012 | 5,230 | 2,830 | 3,467,100 |
| January
2013 | 4,180 | 2,320 | 2,246,700 |
| February
2013 | 6,980 | 3,570 | 4,375,400 |
| March
2013 | 5,770 | 2,840 | 3,565,100 |
| April
2013 | 5,240 | 2,980 | 3,733,900 |
| May
2013 | 5,130 | 2,480 | 3,155,300 |
| June
2013 | 5,250 | 3,060 | 4,077,700 |
| Notes: 1. The information provided is Management Information. Our preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this case we only have Management Information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National statistics and there are some issues with the data, for example, these amounts do not include expenditure on applications which were processed clerically and have not yet been entered on to the Social Fund computer system. 2. Application and award volumes are rounded to the nearest 10. All expenditure figures are rounded to the nearest £100. Source: DWP Policy, Budget and Management Information System |
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) social fund crisis loan applications and (b) grants to cover funeral costs were (i) unsuccessful and (ii) successful in (A) each region of the UK and (B) in total in financial year (1) 2010-11, (2) 2011-12 and...
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) social fund crisis loan applications and (b) grants to cover funeral costs were (i) unsuccessful and (ii) successful in (A) each region of the UK and (B) in total in financial year (1) 2010-11, (2) 2011-12 and...
Tables 1 to 3 give the number of successful and unsuccessful applications for crisis loans and funeral payments by region in 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively.
| Table
1: Successful and unsuccessful applications for crisis loans and
funeral payments in 2010-11, by
region | ||||
| Number | ||||
| Crisis
loans | Funeral
payments | |||
| Region | Successful | Unsuccessful | Successful | Unsuccessful |
| East
of
England | 192,100 | 53,200 | 2,300 | 2,100 |
| East
Midlands | 151,000 | 42,300 | 3,900 | 3,900 |
| London | 288,900 | 91,500 | 3,200 | 3,600 |
| North
East | 173,900 | 50,500 | 2,200 | 2,200 |
| North
West | 476,800 | 122,200 | 5,200 | 5,200 |
| Scotland | 344,300 | 92,400 | 4,600 | 3,800 |
| South
East | 288,600 | 67,100 | 2,700 | 3,300 |
| South
West | 150,600 | 34,300 | 1,600 | 2,400 |
| Wales | 142,800 | 42,000 | 2,000 | 2,400 |
| West
Midlands | 219,400 | 76,900 | 3,400 | 3,900 |
| Yorkshire
and
Humberside | 228,700 | 67,400 | 2,200 | 2,200 |
| Total | 2,657,100 | 739,700 | 33,300 | 35,000 |
| Table
2: Successful and unsuccessful applications for crisis loans and
funeral payments in 2011-12, by
region | ||||
| Number | ||||
| Crisis
loans | Funeral
payments | |||
| Region | Successful | Unsuccessful | Successful | Unsuccessful |
| East
of
England | 140,700 | 33,300 | 2,400 | 2,500 |
| East
Midlands | 123,800 | 30,600 | 2,300 | 2,500 |
| London | 206,400 | 52,600 | 3,200 | 3,700 |
| North
East | 134,700 | 35,600 | 2,200 | 2,600 |
| North
West | 354,500 | 86,100 | 5,100 | 5,600 |
| Scotland | 271,400 | 60,600 | 4,200 | 4,300 |
| South
East | 222,700 | 44,800 | 2,600 | 3,800 |
| South
West | 122,800 | 26,100 | 1,900 | 2,400 |
| Wales | 109,600 | 27,900 | 2,300 | 2,000 |
| West
Midlands | 192,500 | 50,100 | 3,200 | 3,500 |
| Yorkshire
and
Humberside | 192,100 | 52,400 | 3,300 | 3,600 |
| Total | 2,071,200 | 500,000 | 32,700 | 36,300 |
| Table
3: Successful and unsuccessful applications for crisis loans and
funeral payments in 2012-13, by
region | ||||
| Number | ||||
| Crisis
loans | Funeral
payments | |||
| Region | Successful | Unsuccessful | Successful | Unsuccessful |
| East
of
England | 116,000 | 39,200 | 2,300 | 2,300 |
| East
Midlands | 102,800 | 37,100 | 2,100 | 2,200 |
| London | 182,000 | 64,600 | 3,000 | 3,700 |
| North
East | 113,000 | 42,800 | 1,700 | 2,500 |
| North
West | 287,100 | 107,000 | 4,900 | 5,200 |
| Scotland | 222,400 | 78,700 | 4,100 | 4,200 |
| South
East | 179,100 | 50,500 | 2,100 | 3,500 |
| South
West | 104,400 | 31,700 | 1,800 | 2,400 |
| Wales | 89,200 | 33,200 | 2,200 | 2,000 |
| West
Midlands | 164,800 | 60,000 | 3,100 | 3,500 |
| Yorkshire
and
Humberside | 170,200 | 63,900 | 3,200 | 2,900 |
| Total | 1,731,200 | 608,800 | 30,400 | 34,300 |
| Notes: 1. The information provided is management information. Our preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this case we only have management information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National statistics and there are some issues with the data, for example, they do not include applications which were processed clerically and have not yet been entered on to the social fund computer system. 2. These figures do not include applications that were withdrawn. Applications where a decision had not been made at the time of the count have also been excluded. 3. All volumes are rounded to the nearest 100. 4. These tables give the number of applications rather than the number of people making application. Individuals may make multiple applications. |
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the total cost was of awards made towards funeral costs in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13;
[152306]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the total cost was of awards made towards funeral costs in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13;
[152306]
The following table provides the number of applications, awards, and total expenditure of the funeral payment scheme for years 2009-10; 2010-11; 2011-12; and 2012-13.
| Funeral
payment scheme applications, awards, and gross expenditure for years
2009-10 to
2012-13 | ||||
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| Funeral
payment
applications | 68,000 | 69,000 | 69,000 | 66,000 |
| Funeral
payment
awards | 39,000 | 38,000 | 38,000 | 35,000 |
| Annual
gross expenditure (£
million) | 47.1 | 46.5 | 46.7 | 43.1 |
| Notes: 1. The information provided is Management Information. Our preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this case we only have Management Information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National statistics and there are some issues with the data; for example, it does not include applications which were processed clerically and have not yet been entered on to the Social Fund Computer System. 2. The applications and awards figures are rounded to the nearest 1,000. The expenditure is rounded to the nearest £100,000. 3. These figures relate to the number of awards and applications, not people. Individuals can apply for and receive more than one of these payments in any given year. |
(2) how many claims resulted in the award of a payment towards funeral costs in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13;
[152307]
Mr Andrew Smith:
(2) how many claims resulted in the award of a payment towards funeral costs in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13;
[152307]
Mr Andrew Smith:
The following table provides the number of applications, awards, and total expenditure of the funeral payment scheme for years 2009-10; 2010-11; 2011-12; and 2012-13.
| Funeral
payment scheme applications, awards, and gross expenditure for years
2009-10 to
2012-13 | ||||
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| Funeral
payment
applications | 68,000 | 69,000 | 69,000 | 66,000 |
| Funeral
payment
awards | 39,000 | 38,000 | 38,000 | 35,000 |
| Annual
gross expenditure (£
million) | 47.1 | 46.5 | 46.7 | 43.1 |
| Notes: 1. The information provided is Management Information. Our preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this case we only have Management Information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National statistics and there are some issues with the data; for example, it does not include applications which were processed clerically and have not yet been entered on to the Social Fund Computer System. 2. The applications and awards figures are rounded to the nearest 1,000. The expenditure is rounded to the nearest £100,000. 3. These figures relate to the number of awards and applications, not people. Individuals can apply for and receive more than one of these payments in any given year. |
(3) how many claims were made for help towards funeral costs in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13.
[152308]
Mr Andrew Smith:
(3) how many claims were made for help towards funeral costs in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13.
[152308]
Mr Andrew Smith:
The following table provides the number of applications, awards, and total expenditure of the funeral payment scheme for years 2009-10; 2010-11; 2011-12; and 2012-13.
| Funeral
payment scheme applications, awards, and gross expenditure for years
2009-10 to
2012-13 | ||||
| 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
| Funeral
payment
applications | 68,000 | 69,000 | 69,000 | 66,000 |
| Funeral
payment
awards | 39,000 | 38,000 | 38,000 | 35,000 |
| Annual
gross expenditure (£
million) | 47.1 | 46.5 | 46.7 | 43.1 |
| Notes: 1. The information provided is Management Information. Our preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this case we only have Management Information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National statistics and there are some issues with the data; for example, it does not include applications which were processed clerically and have not yet been entered on to the Social Fund Computer System. 2. The applications and awards figures are rounded to the nearest 1,000. The expenditure is rounded to the nearest £100,000. 3. These figures relate to the number of awards and applications, not people. Individuals can apply for and receive more than one of these payments in any given year. |
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects Social Fund budgeting loans to be available to help relatives meet a family member's funeral expenses; and what criteria he plans to use to assess applicants.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects Social Fund budgeting loans to be available to help relatives meet a family member's funeral expenses; and what criteria he plans to use to assess applicants.
Adjournment debate on funeral payments.
Adjournment debate on funeral payments.