Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of police forces having an automatic opt-in for support services for the Next of Kin/Significant other of people who have, or are suspected to have, taken their own life.

You met with the Home Secretary on 25 February, during which this matter was discussed, specifically in relation to Durham Constabulary. She subsequently wrote to you on 8 April reaffirming her support and explained that Durham Constabulary were working with Public Health England and other partners on ways to improve support, including a change to the local procedure to enable automatic opt-in for support services after a suspected suicide. I am therefore reassured that actions are being taken by Durham Constabulary and the relevant partners to address the important issue you raise.