Local Plans (Burial Space) Bill [HL]

Debate between Viscount Stansgate and Lord Blunkett

3rd reading
Friday 11th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Stansgate (Lab)]

My Lords, I rise briefly to help send this Bill on to another place. In this case, that is not a spiritual euphemism, merely a reference to the House of Commons, where, of course, a very important debate is taking place today. On Wednesday, we had a Question about the funeral industry that was not wholly unconnected with the matter before us in the Bill. I am one of those who spoke in support at Second Reading. It is interesting that no amendments have been put down, which means that the House of Commons will have the maximum chance to debate it and take it forward.

I will just add that one of the issues raised—I pay tribute to the noble Lord, Lord Mohammed, for bringing it forward—is that different communities clearly have different attitudes to burial. Broadly speaking, and it is a broad-brush statement, some communities, over a period of 100 years or more, have become increasingly used to and comfortable with cremation, but there are other communities in this country that prefer individual burial, and with a rising population, that has put increasing pressure on burial spaces. I wish the Bill well, and it is not much of a prediction to say that this is an issue that is not going away.

[Lord Blunkett (Lab)]

My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend Lord Mohammed. I can call him my noble friend because, until last May, he was my local councillor. I hope he achieves as much in this place as he did in mine.