Child funeral costs will be waived in England, Prime Minister Theresa May has announced, following in the footsteps of the Welsh Government.
Now Labour is calling on the Scottish Government to do the same, as families in nearly a dozen Scottish council areas are forking out hundreds of pounds when they lose a child despite many other councils waiving the fees.
Mrs May has brought England into line with Wales on the issue and launched a fund to cover costs this weekend, known as the Children’s Funeral Fund.
“No parent should ever have to endure the unbearable loss of a child – a loss that no amount of time will ever truly heal,” she said.
“In the raw pain of immediate loss, it cannot be right that grieving parents should have to worry about how to meet the funeral costs for a child they hoped to see grow into adulthood.
“In the darkest moment of any parent’s life there is little light – but there can be support. That is why I have asked for the Children’s Funeral Fund to be set up in England.”
Scottish Labour Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Communities Monica Lennon called on the Scottish Government to make the same provision and end the nation’s postcode lottery.
She said: “It is good news for families across England that the UK government will follow the lead of Wales in abolishing these charges in England.
“It is an example of what committed, passionate campaigning can achieve.
“The next step should be the Scottish government following suit north of the border.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said the UK Government announcement had been noted and ways to further support families who have lost a child are under active consideration.
She said: “We know funeral costs can push people into poverty and often it is those already in financial hardship who face increased difficulties.
“That is why we are taking decisive action to tackle this growing issue, as set out in our Funeral Costs Plan – and we will introduce a new Funeral Expense Assistance from Summer 2019.
“We have engaged with councils, the funeral sector and other services to find ways to provide more affordable funerals and we will continue to support innovative measures to address the costs of funerals.”
