Asked by: Marco Longhi (Conservative - Dudley North)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if his Department will take steps to help reduce the level of local authority burial fees; and what support the Government provides to people who cannot meet the cost of burials.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Local authorities are responsible for their own budgets and making decisions on local spending in line with local priorities. This is entirely appropriate, given that central government cannot predict exactly what the cost of a local service will be. In line with this principle, public burial authorities have the power to set their charges at levels they consider to be appropriate.
The Funeral Expenses Payments scheme provides a significant contribution towards the cost of a simple, respectful funeral arranged by recipients of certain income based benefits or tax credits. The scheme pays necessary burial and cremation costs in full, as defined by legislation, plus up to £1000 for other expenses such as the cost of a coffin, church and funeral director fees, Scotland has a similar scheme, the Funeral Support Payment scheme. Support for funeral costs for all young people under 18 is provided by the Children’s Funeral Fund for England, with similar schemes in Scotland and Wales. Interest-free Social Fund Budgeting Loans and Universal Credit Budgeting Advances can also be used for funeral expenses. Further financial support is available through Bereavement Support Payments which help working age people whose spouse or civil partner dies.
Asked by: Marco Longhi (Conservative - Dudley North)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has plans to bring forward proposals to set a minimum set of standards for conveyancing solicitors.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Under the framework established by the Legal Services Act 2007, the legal profession is regulated independently of government. Solicitors are regulated by the independent Solicitors Regulation Authority, and it is a matter for them to set standards for their practitioners.
Service complaints relating to authorised persons under the Legal Services Act 2007 (including solicitors and licenced conveyancers) are within the remit of the Legal Ombudsman which operates independently of government. Conduct matters regarding solicitors and licensed conveyancers are addressed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Council of Licensed Conveyancers respectively.
Asked by: Marco Longhi (Conservative - Dudley North)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of the level of complaints made about (a) conveyancing solutions and (b) other parties undertaking property conveyancing activities.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Under the framework established by the Legal Services Act 2007, the legal profession is regulated independently of government. Solicitors are regulated by the independent Solicitors Regulation Authority, and it is a matter for them to set standards for their practitioners.
Service complaints relating to authorised persons under the Legal Services Act 2007 (including solicitors and licenced conveyancers) are within the remit of the Legal Ombudsman which operates independently of government. Conduct matters regarding solicitors and licensed conveyancers are addressed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Council of Licensed Conveyancers respectively.