NAFD maintains close links with the Opposition

A flurry of political announcements at the turn of the year heralded the beginning of the unofficial General Election campaign and the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) is now working to maintain close links with the Opposition and solicit support for the funeral sector as policies are agreed and a post-Election agenda is developed.

To this end the NAFD has scheduled a meeting with Justine Greening MP, the Conservative Shadow Minister for the Department of Communities and Local Government, at which it will discuss the pending business rates revaluation, the impact this will have on funeral directors and the likely increase in the cost of funerals.

Prior to the Christmas recess, representatives from the Association took the opportunity to meet with Henry Bellingham MP, the Conservative Shadow Minister for Justice, who was keen to learn about the problems surrounding the disposal of retained ashes and was particularly interested in the Scottish Cross Party Group’s input into Scottish Government policymaking in this area.

As a next step Mr Bellingham has offered to table Parliamentary Questions on retained ashes and identify how to get a policy solution implemented, in the event of a Conservative victory at the General Election.

“The meeting with Mr Bellingham went extremely well, so much so that we decided to raise the difficulties relating to Social Fund funerals,” says NAFD chief executive officer Alan Slater.

“We appreciated that this is not part of Mr Bellingham’s policy portfolio, so were delighted when he agreed to examine the issue.”

Meanwhile, the NAFD is also in contact with the Conservative Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions, Andrew Selous MP, and is delighted that he has offered to seek further data on the Social Fund and examine the impact of the shortfall on bereaved families.