New bill to return remote death registering in England and Wales
NAFD member feedback on this topic has ‘consistently’ emphasised the importance of securing its reintroduction
The government’s Data Protection and Digital Information bill has been published and it includes provision for deaths to be registered remotely.
This comes after the Coronavirus Act 202, which allowed the remote registration of deaths, expired in April 2022 despite an attempt by the government to secure its long-term retention through a private members bill.
NAFD member feedback on this topic has “consistently” emphasised the importance of securing its reintroduction and it has been one of the highest priorities among the over 41 issues it is currently campaigning on, on behalf of members.
The NAFD’s persistent efforts throughout 2021 and 2022 continued, both before and after the ending of remote registration, and included letter writing, briefing MPs, raising it at the All-Party Parliamentary Group in Westminster and Cross-Party Group in the Senedd, and making the case repeatedly in the national media, as well as in private briefings with relevant ministers.
Andrew Judd, chief executive of the NAFD, said: “This is another huge campaign success for the NAFD, our second in quick succession, after a huge amount of work by the team and an important step forward in the quest to give families choice about how they register a death in England and Wales.
“I know from speaking to members how important this issue is and this is a core benefit of NAFD membership, we are relentless in pursuit of outcomes that support our members in running their businesses and providing care to bereaved families.”
Rachel Bradburne, director of policy and public affairs for the NAFD, said: “The Bill was read for the first time in parliament in March, and we now await a date for the second reading. This new bill has been brought forward by the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology – and is a far more secure legislative vehicle than the previous attempt, giving it a greater chance of success.
“We plan to brief MPs once again, as the bill enters the committee stage of its passage into law and we will keep members updated on its progress.”
