NAFD prepares to work with the new Government

Following the May 6 General Election there has been a huge turnover of MPs – over 200 of our newly elected representatives have never sat in the House of Commons before – and the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) is preparing to consult with the new Conservative/Liberal Democrat Government on the key issues affecting the profession.

Commenting on the composition of the new Parliament, NAFD chief executive officer Alan Slater noted: "A hung Parliament was always a distinct possibility but the swift and, so far, smooth establishment of a coalition Government which integrates Conservative and Lib Dem MPs is encouraging, even though it means we will need to devote greater effort to engaging with Westminster politicians over the coming months. Working successfully with this coalition will be vital to achieving the profession’s goals."

"We expect a variety of opinions to be represented, but I’m confident that, as the voice of the funeral sector, the NAFD can negotiate effectively with the new Government while also working with the Labour Party as it settles into the role of Her Majesty’s official Opposition.”

The NAFD will target new Ministers appointed to the relevant departmental teams at HM Treasury, the Ministry of Justice, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills and the Department for Work and Pensions. It will also establish relationships with new MPs who have an interest in the funeral sector and, as part of this process, will look to re-establish the All Party Parliamentary Funerals and Bereavement Group.

Many of those previously active within the Group have been returned to Parliament by their constituents, so the NAFD looks forward to working once again with David Amess, Peter Bottomley, Alistair Burt, the Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke, Nigel Evans, Robert Goodwill,Ronnie Campbell, Jim Cunningham, Rosie Cooper, Dave Watts, Lorely Burt and Mike Hancock.

A number of members retired at the General Election, while others were not re-elected, and The NAFD would like to acknowledge Janet Dean, Eric Martlew, Ken Purchase, Betty Williams,Ian Stewart, Paul Holmes and in particular the outgoing Chair, Bill Olner, for their efforts in achieving progress on so many issues.

Some existing members of the All Party Parliamentary Funerals and Bereavement Group have been appointed to Ministerial positions in the new Government which means that, unfortunately, the Rt Hon Ken Clarke QC MP (now Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor), Alistair Burt MP (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office) and Robert Goodwill MP (a Government Assistant Whip) will not be able to serve as members of the Group. However, the NAFD looks forward to working with them, where appropriate, in their new roles and in the meantime is making contact with the new Government Ministers responsible for the issues which will impact on the funeral sector.