Oral Answers to Questions

Rachael Maskell Excerpts

Tuesday 20th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Karin Smyth]

My hon. Friend rightly highlights on behalf of her constituents the number of issues that have led to this significant regulatory intervention and support. If necessary, further action is available to NHS England and the Care Quality Commission. We want to ensure that the focus now is on supporting and challenging the trust to make the rapid and sustained improvements necessary in those key areas. I know that my hon. Friend and our other colleagues will work closely with the trust on this; I always encourage MPs to work closely with their trust to ensure that that happens. If necessary, other measures will also be available.

[Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

2. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to regulate funeral services.

[The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Yvette Cooper)]

I also join in your words in support of Helen Haines, Mr Speaker.

In the wake of the horrific cases we have seen in Hull, Leeds, Kent and elsewhere, the Government have announced that we will bring forward comprehensive proposals to ensure respect and dignity for the deceased in every setting, including proper regulation of the funeral sector, because everyone deserves dignity in death and every bereaved family deserves certainty that their loved one is being treated with care and respect.

[Rachael Maskell]

This question comes with warnings of distressing content. When people die, we expect the deceased to receive the highest level of dignity prior to interment, but the lack of statutory regulation is resulting in a few engaging in poor practice. The Co-op funeral service and independent providers have raised significant concerns of a new model of low-cost cremations and mass storage facilities—as proposed by a new establishment in York, which could store 700 people—with evidence of poor practice, poor care and poor handling of the deceased within these facilities. Will the Government meet me and funeral directors so that we can prevent the York site from operating and set high regulatory standards for services for the deceased?

[Yvette Cooper]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this matter; Ministers will certainly be happy to meet her and her constituents on it. I am aware of and concerned about the issues she raises, and I do not think that families are being given the full information about some of these practices and provisions. This goes to the heart of why we need new regulation arrangements in place, so that everyone can have the confidence that their loved ones are being shown the respect and care that all of us would want for our families.