SNP ‘stalling’ on child burial charges

Labour has accused the Scottish Government of “stalling” over controversial local authority charges faced by bereaved parents.

A handful of councils in Scotland will be the last places in the UK to charge interment fees to bury children, following plans to abolish them in Wales and England. Two councils have now scrapped their fees, but the SNP has so far resisted calls to fund an end to charges nationwide that can reach upwards of £800.

Labour is seeking a Holyrood debate on the issue.

“The SNP government has cut spending in local governauthor ment by £148 per person in real terms,” Monica Lennon MSP said.

“If Welsh and UK governments can support councils to cover the cost of child burials, it’s hard to understand why the Scottish Government is stalling.”