Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Office of the Chief Coroner: Provision of Services

Tuesday 18 May 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government provided over 4 billion to local authorities to support coroner services.
  • Average time from death reported to inquest conclusion in Birmingham and Solihull decreased to 10 weeks in 2020.
  • Coroners operate independently as judicial office holders.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steve McCabe Lab
Justice & Courts Religion & Faith
Context

The question arises from concerns over delays in coroner services, particularly affecting Muslim and Jewish families who need timely burials.

Question

What steps his Department is taking with the Office of the Chief Coroner to help ensure timely provision of services by that Office. My constituents often express frustration at delays when making burial arrangements, especially for Muslim and Jewish families needing immediate burials after death. What is being done to engage local religious groups?

Answer from Alex Chalk

The Government have provided over £4 billion to local authorities to support coroners, ensuring they have necessary resources. In Birmingham and Solihull, the average time from death being reported to inquest conclusion decreased to 10 weeks in 2020, down from 14 weeks in 2019, which is below England and Wales' average.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Engagement with local religious groups and specific actions addressing their concerns were not addressed

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Q2 Steve McCabe Lab
Justice & Courts Religion & Faith
Context

The question follows up on delays in coroner services, focusing particularly on Muslim and Jewish families needing prompt burials.

Question

My constituents who are served by the Birmingham and Solihull coroner service often express frustration at delays when they are making burial arrangements. It is a particular issue for Muslim and Jewish families, for whom burials should take place as soon as possible after death. What is being done to ensure that coroners' courts engage with local religious groups to address these problems and make sure that religious beliefs are respected and honoured?

Answer from Alex Chalk

Coroners operate independently as judicial office holders. The Government have provided over £4 billion to local authorities for coroner services resources. In Birmingham and Solihull, the average time from death being reported to inquest conclusion decreased to 10 weeks in 2020, down from 14 weeks in 2019, which is below England and Wales' average.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Engagement with local religious groups and specific actions addressing their concerns were not addressed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)