Government Adopts DWP Select Committee Recommendation on Bereavement Support

Chair's comment

Frank Field MP, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, said:

"We are pleased the Government has today announced an extension of the period for which BSP will be paid from 12 to 18 months. This is a very important change for families at what is invariably a traumatic time; not least because it means payments will no longer stop on the anniversary of the death. The Government should be applauded for listening to the evidence that we were so moved by."

Committee Membership is as follows: 

Frank Field (Labour, Birkenhead) (Chair); Heidi Allen (Conservative, South Cambridgeshire); Mhairi Black (Scottish National Party, Paisley and Renfrewshire South); Ms Karen Buck, (Labour, Westminster North); James Cartlidge, (Conservative, South Suffolk); Neil Coyle (Labour, Bermondsey & Old Southwark); Richard Graham (Conservative, Gloucester); Luke Hall, (Conservative, Thornbury and Yate); Craig Mackinlay (Conservative, South Thanet); Steve McCabe (Labour, Birmingham Selly Oak); Royston Smith, (Conservative, Southampton Itchen) 

For more information:

 

• Read the Committee's report: Support for the bereaved
• Read the Committee's report: Support for the bereaved (PDF 835,4KB)
• Letter from Caroline Nokes MP to Chair re Committee's recommendations on bereavement support ( PDF 36 KB)
• Work and Pensions Committee

ABC Comment. For the record the Committee found that the costs of a simple cremation funeral are:

Disbursements

Oxford Crematorium - £943

Doctor’s cremation fee - £164 (only payable if the Coroner is not involved)

Total - £1,107

Professional charges

Coffin - £120

Hearse - £265

Removal and storage of the deceased - £295 (time to collect the deceased, vehicle, staff and storage)

Three bearers to carry the coffin - £90

Minister’s fee - £200

Total - £970

Grand total  - £2,077