The government recognises the difficulty and challenges facing those who have lost money because their funeral plan providers have been shown to be unable to fulfil the promises they made to their customers.

In January 2021, the government legislated to bring all pre-paid funeral plan providers and intermediaries within the regulatory remit of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from 29 July 2022. This has ensured that 1.6 million funeral plan customers are, for the first time, protected by compulsory and robust regulation.

The two largest providers that have gone into administration since the government legislated are Safe Hands, with approximately 46,000 customers and One Life, with approximately 14,000 customers. We also understand that some smaller providers have entered administration.

During a wide-ranging meeting with industry in July 2017 to discuss pre-paid funeral plans, some concerns about Safe Hands funeral plans were raised with HM Treasury.

In response, officials advised that such concerns should be reported to the FCA, reflecting the fact that HM Treasury has no investigatory or enforcement powers of its own.

The government recognises the difficulty and challenges facing those who have lost money because their funeral plan providers have been shown to be unable to fulfil the promises they made to their customers.

In January 2021, the government legislated to bring all pre-paid funeral plan providers and intermediaries within the regulatory remit of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from 29 July 2022. This has ensured that 1.6 million funeral plan customers are, for the first time, protected by compulsory and robust regulation.

The two largest providers that have gone into administration since the government legislated are Safe Hands, with approximately 46,000 customers and One Life, with approximately 14,000 customers. We also understand that some smaller providers have entered administration.

During a wide-ranging meeting with industry in July 2017 to discuss pre-paid funeral plans, some concerns about Safe Hands funeral plans were raised with HM Treasury.

In response, officials advised that such concerns should be reported to the FCA, reflecting the fact that HM Treasury has no investigatory or enforcement powers of its own.

In January 2021, the government legislated to bring all pre-paid funeral plan providers and intermediaries within the regulatory remit of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from 29 July 2022. This has ensured that 1.6 million funeral plan customers are protected by compulsory and robust regulation.

The government consulted widely on the regulation of pre-paid funeral plans. Most notably, it published a consultation, draft statutory instrument, and impact assessment in June 2019. The FCA also published a consultation and detailed cost-benefit analysis on their proposed regulatory rules for the pre-paid funeral plan sector in March 2021.

Whilst the Government does not have operational responsibility for the provision of funeral services, we are aware of funeral delays in some areas and acknowledge that these are often exacerbated by pressures from within the wider death management system.

Government departments are taking a collaborative approach to reforming the death registration system as part of the roll out of the statutory medical examiner scheme which will come into force in April 2024. The doctor who attended the deceased during their last illness has a legal responsibility to complete a Medical Certificate Cause of Death (MCCD) as soon as possible to enable the registration of the death to take place. Guidance for doctors on completing an MCCD, available on Gov.uk, emphasises this point. As part of the work on the statutory medical examiner scheme, the Department of Health and Social Care is looking at expanding the pool of doctors who can sign the MCCD forms. When the demand on civil registration services is high, death registration appointments will always take priority over other registration appointments.

The Government continues to look at wider improvements to the death management system’s capacity and resilience, including mortuary capacity. The shortage of pathologists is a long-standing and cross-cutting issue. The Government is determined to make progress as soon as practicable. To that end, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State is engaging with Ministerial colleagues to implement effective solutions through a cross-government action plan.

The Platinum Jubilee, the funeral of Her Late Majesty and the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla were hugely important state occasions for our nation. They brought millions of people around the country and Commonwealth together and showcased the best of the United Kingdom to the world. Communities celebrated the Platinum Jubilee in around 16,000 local street parties across the UK while the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II was watched by hundreds of millions around the world.

Major Royal events such as these provide a significant boost to the UK economy through tourism, our hospitality industry and to the many other businesses that will have seen an increase in trade. VisitEngland projected that overnight holiday breaks in the UK during the Coronation Bank Holiday weekend would generate an estimated £1.2 billion economic boost, while UKHospitality estimated a £350 million boost for the hospitality industry over the long weekend.

The Baha'i community in Iran is systematically discriminated against, harassed and targeted by Iranian authorities. The UK Government agrees with the UN Special Rapporteur for Iran Human Rights' latest assessment that destruction of Baha'i cemeteries and prevention of proper burial for Baha'i is representative of Iran's deeply unjust judicial system. We raise human rights issues with Iran at all appropriate opportunities, including freedom of religion or belief (FORB).

The Competition and Markets Authority continues to monitor the funerals market following its recent investigation, publishing annual reviews on developments in the market. The first review, published in January 2023, set out evidence that since the introduction of transparency rules (part of the Competition and Markets Authority’s Funerals Market Investigation Order 2021)  funeral prices are flat after many years of real-terms rises. This means that costs paid by UK consumers for funeral services are likely to be lower as a result of the Competition and Markets Authority’s intervention.

The Competition and Markets Authority will continue its work to ensure that all consumers are able to benefit from the measures introduced in the Order and it has the information required to monitor consumer outcomes.

Additionally, the Government helps with the cost of funeral services for many bereaved families through the Funeral Expenses Payment scheme and the Children’s Funeral Fund.

I have received no representations on the management of cemeteries by Dignity in Rotherham and have had no discussions with local authorities regarding contracts for funeral provision.

The Government expects all burial authorities to adhere to the framework of legislation and guidance for the management of burial grounds. This includes the Guide for burial ground managers which supports best practice, including in relation to the preparation of graves. The Government also expects funeral providers to adhere to the standards, codes of conduct and best practice established by the sector’s representative bodies.

I have received no representations on the management of cemeteries by Dignity in Rotherham and have had no discussions with local authorities regarding contracts for funeral provision.

The Government expects all burial authorities to adhere to the framework of legislation and guidance for the management of burial grounds. This includes the Guide for burial ground managers which supports best practice, including in relation to the preparation of graves. The Government also expects funeral providers to adhere to the standards, codes of conduct and best practice established by the sector’s representative bodies.

In January 2021, the government legislated to bring all pre-paid funeral plan providers and intermediaries within the regulatory remit of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from 29 July 2022. This has ensured that 1.6 million funeral plan customers are, for the first time, protected by compulsory and robust regulation.

The FCA is an operationally independent regulator. As such it must operate within the framework of statutory duties and powers agreed by Parliament and is therefore accountable to Parliament for how it discharges its statutory functions.

There are also a number of mechanisms in the UK’s domestic framework which allow the Treasury to hold the regulators to account. In addition, Ministers and officials meet regularly with the regulators to discuss policy issues and areas of joint work or interest, while recognising the regulators’ operational independence.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives consumers rights to redress and refunds including when businesses cancel services that have been agreed. The Competition and Markets Authority recently carried out a market investigation into the funerals sector to ensure these rules were being observed. They have issued guidance to businesses in the sector on their obligations to consumers. Details can be found at: https://competitionandmarkets.blog.gov.uk/2023/01/27/helping-businesses-comply-with-the-funerals-order/. Consumers can seek free advice on their rights from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 (www.citizensadvice.org.uk/). The Financial Conduct Authority regulates prepaid funeral plans. Details can be found at: https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-regulation-boosts-consumer-protection-funeral-plans-market.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives consumers rights to redress and refunds including when businesses cancel services that have been agreed.

The Competition and Markets Authority recently carried out a market investigation into the funerals sector to ensure these rules were being observed. They have issued guidance to businesses in the sector on their obligations to consumers. Details can be found at: https://competitionandmarkets.blog.gov.uk/2023/01/27/helping-businesses-comply-with-the-funerals-order/.

Consumers can seek free advice on their rights from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 (www.citizensadvice.org.uk/). The Financial Conduct Authority regulates prepaid funeral plans. Details can be found at: https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-regulation-boosts-consumer-protection-funeral-plans-market.

In January 2021, the government legislated to bring all pre-paid funeral plan providers and intermediaries within the regulatory remit of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from 29 July 2022. This has ensured that 1.6 million funeral plan customers are, for the first time, protected by compulsory and robust regulation.

Throughout this process, the government has worked very closely with the FCA to ensure that the regulation of the sector is proportionate and effective. The government and the FCA continue to engage regularly as we monitor the implementation of regulation in this sector.

NHS England lead on the operational delivery of the medical examiner system in England and NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership in Wales. In relation to rapid release of the body requests, NHS England’s good practice series includes how medical examiners can facilitate urgent release of a body. This is published by the lead Royal College for medical examiners the Royal College of Pathologists.

The Government does not have operational responsibility for the provision of funeral services and as such does not collate the information centrally.

The Government does not have operational responsibility for the provision of funeral services and as such does not collate information on waiting times for funerals.

However, we are aware of some areas experiencing longer waiting times for funeral services and we are working with other government departments and the sector to address capacity and resilience issues within the death management system.