Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on bereavement services in (a) Coventry, (b) the West Midlands and (c) England; and what steps are being taken across Government to support (i) bereavement services and (ii) people bereaved during the pandemic.

The Government recognises that the effects of COVID-19 have increased the demand on bereavement services across England. Since March 2020, the Government has provided over £10.2 million to mental health charities across England, including bereavement support charities, to support adults and children struggling with their mental wellbeing due to the impact of COVID-19.

We will continue to work closely with bereavement services to ensure support is available and assess what is needed to provide further support during this difficult time, so that people bereaved during the pandemic receive the support they need.