Minister joins Cross Party Group to discuss funeral support payment and delays in Scotland
The Cross Party Group for funerals and bereavement at the Scottish Parliament met recently and was delighted to welcome Ben Macpherson, the Minister for Social Security, who updated and took questions on how the Funeral Support Payment benefit was performing.
Central was a discussion around how the nature of funerals had shifted during the pandemic, specifically around the increase in direct cremations, and what effect that had on the funeral support payment when applicants were continuing to receive money to help cover the cost of funerals that, in the case of direct cremations, did not have any “funeral” element. It was suggested that that money could be put to better use helping other people. It was also suggested the way the payment was “bundled together” could be addressed given the changing market.
Mr Macpherson said the payment was constantly under review but was designed to be both “accessible and flexible” and the department was always looking for feedback on how to improve the service.
He said that the benefit was performing well and was supporting 40% more people than the UK Government benefit, costing £20 million. Take up was 59%, which can be improved, and the benefit had increased by 6% since its introduction.
Mr Macpherson said that as part of improvements and to increase take up rates, Social Security Scotland had deployed local delivery teams to help people access and apply for the payment face to face, and called upon agencies including Funeral Directors to signpost people towards them.
He confirmed that the Government was committed to paying any increase in take up of the fund caused by the cost of living crisis, and that it was actively pushing to raise awareness of the funeral payment.
The CPG also held its Annual General Meeting on 12 October. Jeremy Balfour MSP was re-elected as convener, Alexander Burnett MSP as deputy convener and Nick Britten, Wordsmith Communication, as secretariat. The NAFD continues to support the CPG’s operations.
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