Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with representatives from the Competition and Market Authority on ensuring that the (a) delivery (b) marketing and (c) sale of funeral plans are included in the scope of the investigation into the funeral market.

In June 2018, the CMA launched a market study into the funeral sector. The CMA investigated two core areas in connection to the supply of a funeral: (1) how competition between funeral directors works and transparency issues in the provision of funerals; and (2) how competition works in the crematoria segment of the industry. In light of the findings of the market study, the CMA launched a full market investigation into the funeral sector. The scope of the CMA’s market investigation includes the funeral services supplied by funeral directors arising from the redemption of funeral plans.

HM Treasury launched a call for evidence on the regulation of pre-paid funeral plans in June 2018. The call for evidence has confirmed that consumer detriment is present in the pre-paid funeral plan sector and that there is broad demand for the sector to come under compulsory regulation. Consequently, the government intends to bring the pre-paid funeral plan market within the remit of the Financial Conduct Authority and is currently consulting on the proposed legislative framework to implement this proposal.

My officials have engaged with the CMA to ensure the respective investigations are complementary and coherent.