Co-op responds to Landmark Supreme Court judgement on bereavement support

30 August 2018

Statement from David Collingwood, Director Co-op Funeralcare and Life Planning

"We welcome the Landmark Supreme Court judgement which has ruled that denying bereavement benefits to unmarried, cohabiting partners with children is incompatible with human rights law. Our recent research of 30,000 Brits found that as many as 4 million people have suffered financial hardship after a bereavement. A startling figure that highlights that sadly for many families, grief is experienced not only emotionally but also financially.

"We hope that following the courage of Siobhan McLaughlin in fighting this case, the Government will now review its position so that more families receive this much needed financial support at the most difficult of times."

Media Contact:

Lauren Pogson: Lauren.Pogson@coop.co.uk / 07702 505626
Emily Penkett: Emily.penkett@coop.co.uk / 07738 621201

About the Co-op

The Co-op, one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, with interests across food, funerals, insurance, electrical and legal services, has a clear purpose of championing a better way of doing business for you and your communities. Owned by millions of UK consumers, The Co-op operates a total of 3,750 outlets, with more than 70,000 colleagues and an annual turnover of approximately £10 billion.

Home to the UK’s leading funeral provider, Co-op Funeralcare conducts almost 100,000 funerals annually across over 1,000 funeral homes. Combined with its leading legal services business, the Co-op is also a national provider of later life products and services ranging from funeral plans, through to wills and probate.