Government Website: Registering a Death

Viscount Stansgate Excerpts

Tuesday 10th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

There are two points here. The median figure that we have assessed for the issues that the noble Lord has raised is nine days. The published data does not break down the journey between the medical certificate of death and the registration of death. From the Home Office’s perspective, the registration process is more or less on target at the five-day period. Where there is a delay on occasions, it is between death occurring and the medical examiner’s certificate being issued. I will be drawing that issue to the attention of my noble friend Lady Merron, as it is a Department of Health matter. Again, the Government are committed to trying to resolve and improve performance on this.

[Viscount Stansgate (Lab)]

My Lords, on 3 April last year, from the Dispatch Box in this Chamber, my noble friend Lady Merron said:

“We are taking steps to reduce the time to register a death”.—[Official Report, 3/4/25; col. 361.]


Can my noble friend the Minister tell us what progress is being made?

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

As I said, nine days is the median. I confess to the House that death certificates are not my specialist subject, but I will do my best to investigate whether there are any delays and will write to my noble friend.