My Lords, I associate these Benches with the comments that were made about the poor people and their families who had to suffer in Hull. The most reverend Primate spoke about the impact on local communities and how legislation should consider costs. Given this, do the Government intend to ensure that smaller independent funeral directors—most of which, as the Minister said, do an amazing job in helping families through a very difficult time of bereavement, and which serve many of our communities with great care—are properly involved in shaping these reforms, and that it is not just the bigger companies and organisations that are involved? What steps will be taken to guarantee that any new requirements are proportionate and do not place unsustainable extra burdens on providers, while of course avoiding a repeat of the scandal that we saw in this case?

My Lords, I associate these Benches with the comments that were made about the poor people and their families who had to suffer in Hull. The most reverend Primate spoke about the impact on local communities and how legislation should consider costs. Given this, do the Government intend to ensure that smaller independent funeral directors—most of which, as the Minister said, do an amazing job in helping families through a very difficult time of bereavement, and which serve many of our communities with great care—are properly involved in shaping these reforms, and that it is not just the bigger companies and organisations that are involved? What steps will be taken to guarantee that any new requirements are proportionate and do not place unsustainable extra burdens on providers, while of course avoiding a repeat of the scandal that we saw in this case?

This is the way that we are conducting ourselves. It would be a bit premature to draw conclusions on any funding requirements—we are, of course, talking about private businesses. However, we are looking—as we always do, but particularly in this area—at the costs, benefits and the impacts of different approaches before decisions are taken. Within that, we are working with the full range of funeral providers and not just the large funeral providers.

This is the way that we are conducting ourselves. It would be a bit premature to draw conclusions on any funding requirements—we are, of course, talking about private businesses. However, we are looking—as we always do, but particularly in this area—at the costs, benefits and the impacts of different approaches before decisions are taken. Within that, we are working with the full range of funeral providers and not just the large funeral providers.

My Lords, this is much to be welcomed, because a funeral is a very important part of marking the passing of, and respect for, a person. So, in the consultation, will the Government ask hospice bereavement counsellors—specifically those who see people on the ground face to face—for their comments? Often, managerial people higher up in the bereavement service may not know some of the details that have been extremely important to families and that may have caused great offence or may have been particularly helpful, and they can get lost in the retelling as things are passed up the chain.

My Lords, this is much to be welcomed, because a funeral is a very important part of marking the passing of, and respect for, a person. So, in the consultation, will the Government ask hospice bereavement counsellors—specifically those who see people on the ground face to face—for their comments? Often, managerial people higher up in the bereavement service may not know some of the details that have been extremely important to families and that may have caused great offence or may have been particularly helpful, and they can get lost in the retelling as things are passed up the chain.

The noble Baroness is quite right that funerals are very personal matters—personal to the deceased, who may or may not have left their wishes, and personal and affecting for those left behind.

So hospices and other groups will be worked with closely in the way the noble Baroness describes, as they are important stakeholders for us.

The noble Baroness is quite right that funerals are very personal matters—personal to the deceased, who may or may not have left their wishes, and personal and affecting for those left behind.

So hospices and other groups will be worked with closely in the way the noble Baroness describes, as they are important stakeholders for us.

My Lords, I want to pick up a point made from the Opposition Front Bench a few moments ago about family funeral directors. Over the last 20 years or so, we have seen many of those, in effect, bought up by large conglomerates. It is important that any regulation is created in a way that makes it commensurate for those small providers and does not create a further incentive for the large, sometimes multinational, bodies that do not have that degree of personal understanding of a particular local community.

My Lords, I want to pick up a point made from the Opposition Front Bench a few moments ago about family funeral directors. Over the last 20 years or so, we have seen many of those, in effect, bought up by large conglomerates. It is important that any regulation is created in a way that makes it commensurate for those small providers and does not create a further incentive for the large, sometimes multinational, bodies that do not have that degree of personal understanding of a particular local community.

On that point, I was interested to look at the figures, which show that the largest three businesses collectively account for approximately a third. The right reverend Prelate emphasises a point made by other noble Lords about the importance of ensuring that regulation enables all sizes and scales of businesses in this area to do the job we need them to do and has regard to all the points that we have referred to here, while letting them conduct their business.

On that point, I was interested to look at the figures, which show that the largest three businesses collectively account for approximately a third. The right reverend Prelate emphasises a point made by other noble Lords about the importance of ensuring that regulation enables all sizes and scales of businesses in this area to do the job we need them to do and has regard to all the points that we have referred to here, while letting them conduct their business.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, (a) what steps she is taking to implement the recommendations of the Fuller Inquiry, particularly in relation to a statutory regulatory scheme for funeral directors; and (b) what consideration has been given to the potential merits of requiring that...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, (a) what steps she is taking to implement the recommendations of the Fuller Inquiry, particularly in relation to a statutory regulatory scheme for funeral directors; and (b) what consideration has been given to the potential merits of requiring that...

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether her Department planned an Operation Bridge for the then Duke of York, or made other preparations under a security alias; and if she will set out how state funeral arrangements apply to those who are no longer members of the Royal...

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether her Department planned an Operation Bridge for the then Duke of York, or made other preparations under a security alias; and if she will set out how state funeral arrangements apply to those who are no longer members of the Royal...

I will speak about new clause 41, which stands in my name.

We put enormous, unquestioning trust in those who care for the bodies of our loved ones when they die. However, in this Chamber six months ago, I told a former Health Minister, the hon. Member for Glasgow South West...

I will speak about new clause 41, which stands in my name.

We put enormous, unquestioning trust in those who care for the bodies of our loved ones when they die. However, in this Chamber six months ago, I told a former Health Minister, the hon. Member for Glasgow South West...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Fuller Inquiry Phase 2 Report: Government Interim Update on Progress, when he plans to respond to recommendations 29, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 69, 71 and 72.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Fuller Inquiry Phase 2 Report: Government Interim Update on Progress, when he plans to respond to recommendations 29, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 69, 71 and 72.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Government has made of the barriers faced by bereaved families not in receipt of benefits who are unable to meet funeral costs; and whether the Government has considered providing additional support towards funeral costs for those struggling...

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Government has made of the barriers faced by bereaved families not in receipt of benefits who are unable to meet funeral costs; and whether the Government has considered providing additional support towards funeral costs for those struggling...

I wish to update the House on the Government’s proposals for formal regulation of the funeral sector, announced this summer following the sentencing of criminal funeral director Robert Bush. These proposals will seek to crack down on rogue operators in the funeral sector and ensure better protection for bereaved families.

On...

I wish to update the House on the Government’s proposals for formal regulation of the funeral sector, announced this summer following the sentencing of criminal funeral director Robert Bush. These proposals will seek to crack down on rogue operators in the funeral sector and ensure better protection for bereaved families.

On...

My Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Yvette Cooper MP) has made the following statement:

I wish to update the House on the Government’s proposals for formal regulation of the funeral sector, announced this summer following the sentencing of criminal funeral director Robert Bush. These...

My Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Yvette Cooper MP) has made the following statement:

I wish to update the House on the Government’s proposals for formal regulation of the funeral sector, announced this summer following the sentencing of criminal funeral director Robert Bush. These...

I am today updating the House on the Government’s progress in responding to the recommendations of the independent inquiry into the serious issues arising from the appalling actions of David Fuller. The Inquiry’s final report, published on 15 July 2025, made seventy-five recommendations to strengthen the security and dignity of...

I am today updating the House on the Government’s progress in responding to the recommendations of the independent inquiry into the serious issues arising from the appalling actions of David Fuller. The Inquiry’s final report, published on 15 July 2025, made seventy-five recommendations to strengthen the security and dignity of...

My Honourable Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Preet Kaur Gill MP) has made the following statement:

I am today updating the House on the Government’s progress in responding to the recommendations of the independent inquiry into the serious issues arising from the appalling actions of David Fuller. The Inquiry’s final...

My Honourable Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Preet Kaur Gill MP) has made the following statement:

I am today updating the House on the Government’s progress in responding to the recommendations of the independent inquiry into the serious issues arising from the appalling actions of David Fuller. The Inquiry’s final...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of delays in the medical examiner process on bereaved families and funeral arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of delays in the medical examiner process on bereaved families and funeral arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of consumer protection provided by at-need funeral, cremation and burial services offered by Local Authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of consumer protection provided by at-need funeral, cremation and burial services offered by Local Authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the value for money of at-need funeral, cremation and burial services offered by Local Authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the value for money of at-need funeral, cremation and burial services offered by Local Authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department collects annually from Local Authorities on the provision of cremation and burial services; and if he will publish that data.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department collects annually from Local Authorities on the provision of cremation and burial services; and if he will publish that data.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department collects annually from Local Authorities on the provision of pre-need and at-need funeral services; and if he will publish that data.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department collects annually from Local Authorities on the provision of pre-need and at-need funeral services; and if he will publish that data.