Advertisement
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Just £9.99 for the next 8 weeks
SUBSCRIBE
Social Justice

Scottish government launches new benefit for funeral poverty

Ministers at Holyrood have a new 10-point plan to help families struggling with the rising costs of arranging a funeral

Many families are left struggling with debt after burying a loved one, with funeral costs spiralling up to several thousands of pounds.

The Scottish Government has announced a new 10-point plan to tackle funeral poverty, including a new Funeral Expense Assistance benefit available to families by the summer of 2019.

We know funeral costs can push people into poverty

The plans will also include a funeral bond pilot scheme allowing people to save towards the costs. And consumer protection of funeral plans will also be strengthened by ministers.

The basic costs of burial rose 8% to £1,373 in Scotland last year, according to Citizens Advice Scotland. And a recent study by Citizens Advice bureau in Stirling found a spike in so-called “paupers’ funerals” – no-frills burials arranged by the state – costing councils in Scotland £500,000 last year.

“The Scottish Government is committed to supporting those who need it most following a bereavement,” said Equalities Minister Angela Constance.

“We know funeral costs can push people into poverty – and often it is those already in financial hardship who face increased difficulties,” she added.

Advertisement
Advertisement

We are taking decisive action to tackle this growing issue

“That is why we are taking decisive action to tackle this growing issue and have engaged with local authorities, the funeral sector and other support services.

“I am pleased by the willingness to work together to find solutions that support more affordable funerals.”

Advertisement

Buy a Big Issue Vendor Support Kit

This Christmas, give a Big Issue vendor the tools to keep themselves warm, dry, fed, earning and progressing.

Recommended for you

View all
‘Common sense and humanity’: Home Office doubles time given to refugees before eviction from asylum hotels
a tent on the street
Refugee homelessness

‘Common sense and humanity’: Home Office doubles time given to refugees before eviction from asylum hotels

Olympic boxer Cindy Ngamba: 'I want to show the world that refugees can do anything'
Refugee boxer Cindy Ngamba
Sport

Olympic boxer Cindy Ngamba: 'I want to show the world that refugees can do anything'

'We didn't know where to go': What's it's like being pregnant, a refugee and homeless at Christmas
Refugee homelessness

'We didn't know where to go': What's it's like being pregnant, a refugee and homeless at Christmas

Two-child benefit cap to be scrapped in Scotland as Labour challenged to 'step up' and follow suit
keir starmer and john swinney
Two-child benefit cap

Two-child benefit cap to be scrapped in Scotland as Labour challenged to 'step up' and follow suit

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know