{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Funerals%3A+Pre-payment", "definition" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Funerals%3A+Pre-payment", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_metadata=all&hansardHeading=Funerals%3A+Pre-payment", "first" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&hansardHeading=Funerals%3A+Pre-payment", "hasPart" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Funerals%3A+Pre-payment", "isPartOf" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Funerals%3A+Pre-payment", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1698319", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1698319/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The government works closely with the FCA to continually review the regulatory perimeter to ensure that the right balance is struck between proportionately protecting consumers, minimising costs on business, and ensuring consumers have access to useful and affordable financial products and services.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Once made aware of consumer detriment in the pre-paid funeral plans sector, the government investigated and confirmed these reports through its 2018 call for evidence. The government then consulted widely with industry and passed legislation in January 2021 to bring all pre-paid funeral plan providers and intermediaries within the FCA regulatory perimeter.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>This has ensured that 1.6 million funeral plan customers are, for the first time, protected by compulsory and robust regulation.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4639", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bim Afolami"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hitchin and Harpenden"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Bim Afolami"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-18T14:23:36.027Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Funerals: Pre-payment"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what regular reviews of the funeral plan market his Department undertook between 2001 and 2018.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4403", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Law"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dundee West"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Law"}
      ], "uin" : "20319"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1698320", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1698320/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>This is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is independent from Government.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The FCA will respond to the Honourable Member by letter, and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4639", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bim Afolami"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hitchin and Harpenden"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Bim Afolami"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-18T14:25:11.74Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Funerals: Pre-payment"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many times a breach of the Regulated Activities Order by a funeral plan company was reported to the Financial Conduct Authority in the last three years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4403", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Law"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dundee West"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Law"}
      ], "uin" : "20320"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1698322", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1698322/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>In January 2021, the government legislated to bring all pre-paid funeral plan providers and intermediaries within the regulatory remit of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from 29 July 2022. This has ensured that, for the first time,1.6 million funeral plan customers are protected by compulsory and robust regulation.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The government consulted widely on the regulation of pre-paid funeral plans. It published a consultation, draft statutory instrument, and impact assessment in June 2019. The FCA also published a consultation and detailed cost-benefit analysis on their proposed regulatory rules for the pre-paid funeral plan sector in March 2021.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4639", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bim Afolami"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hitchin and Harpenden"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Bim Afolami"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "20323"}
        , {"_value" : "20326"}
        , {"_value" : "20327"}
        ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-18T14:32:11.14Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Funerals: Pre-payment"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment (a) his Department and (b) the Financial Conduct Authority made of the implications for their policies of the speed of growth of the funeral plan market between 2001 and 2022.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4403", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Law"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dundee West"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Law"}
      ], "uin" : "20322"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1698323", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1698323/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>In January 2021, the government legislated to bring all pre-paid funeral plan providers and intermediaries within the regulatory remit of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from 29 July 2022. This has ensured that, for the first time,1.6 million funeral plan customers are protected by compulsory and robust regulation.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The government consulted widely on the regulation of pre-paid funeral plans. It published a consultation, draft statutory instrument, and impact assessment in June 2019. The FCA also published a consultation and detailed cost-benefit analysis on their proposed regulatory rules for the pre-paid funeral plan sector in March 2021.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4639", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bim Afolami"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hitchin and Harpenden"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Bim Afolami"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "20322"}
        , {"_value" : "20326"}
        , {"_value" : "20327"}
        ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-18T14:32:11.187Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Funerals: Pre-payment"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the proportion of funeral plan companies that failed to gain regulation following the new regulatory regime in the funeral plan market.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4403", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Law"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dundee West"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Law"}
      ], "uin" : "20323"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1698326", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1698326/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>In January 2021, the government legislated to bring all pre-paid funeral plan providers and intermediaries within the regulatory remit of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from 29 July 2022. This has ensured that, for the first time,1.6 million funeral plan customers are protected by compulsory and robust regulation.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The government consulted widely on the regulation of pre-paid funeral plans. It published a consultation, draft statutory instrument, and impact assessment in June 2019. The FCA also published a consultation and detailed cost-benefit analysis on their proposed regulatory rules for the pre-paid funeral plan sector in March 2021.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4639", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bim Afolami"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hitchin and Harpenden"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Bim Afolami"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "20322"}
        , {"_value" : "20323"}
        , {"_value" : "20327"}
        ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-18T14:32:11.237Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Funerals: Pre-payment"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he made of the implications for his policies of changes in the number of funeral plan companies following the announcement of regulatory change in 2018.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4403", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Law"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dundee West"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Law"}
      ], "uin" : "20326"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1698327", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1698327/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>In January 2021, the government legislated to bring all pre-paid funeral plan providers and intermediaries within the regulatory remit of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from 29 July 2022. This has ensured that, for the first time,1.6 million funeral plan customers are protected by compulsory and robust regulation.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The government consulted widely on the regulation of pre-paid funeral plans. It published a consultation, draft statutory instrument, and impact assessment in June 2019. The FCA also published a consultation and detailed cost-benefit analysis on their proposed regulatory rules for the pre-paid funeral plan sector in March 2021.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4639", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bim Afolami"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hitchin and Harpenden"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Bim Afolami"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "20322"}
        , {"_value" : "20323"}
        , {"_value" : "20326"}
        ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-18T14:32:11.28Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Funerals: Pre-payment"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring the immediate regulation of funeral plan companies that (a) were founded and (b) changed ownership after the announcement of regulatory change in 2018.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4403", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Law"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dundee West"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Law"}
      ], "uin" : "20327"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1663798", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1663798/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>In January 2021, the government legislated to bring all pre-paid funeral plan providers and intermediaries within the regulatory remit of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from 29 July 2022. This has ensured that 1.6 million funeral plan customers are protected by compulsory and robust regulation.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The government consulted widely on the regulation of pre-paid funeral plans. Most notably, it published a consultation, draft statutory instrument, and impact assessment in June 2019. The FCA also published a consultation and detailed cost-benefit analysis on their proposed regulatory rules for the pre-paid funeral plan sector in March 2021.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Arundel and South Downs"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-10-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-10-18T14:11:45.093Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-10-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Funerals: Pre-payment"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department made an assessment of the potential impact of the requirement for funeral plan companies to be regulated by the FCA by 9 July 2022 on the number of those companies (a) entering and (b) likely to enter administration.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4470", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alan Brown"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kilmarnock and Loudoun"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alan Brown"}
      ], "uin" : "201651"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1625410", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1625410/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>In January 2021, the government legislated to bring all pre-paid funeral plan providers and intermediaries within the regulatory remit of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from 29 July 2022. This has ensured that 1.6 million funeral plan customers are, for the first time, protected by compulsory and robust regulation.<\/p><p>The FCA is an operationally independent regulator. As such it must operate within the framework of statutory duties and powers agreed by Parliament and is therefore accountable to Parliament for how it discharges its statutory functions.<\/p><p>There are also a number of mechanisms in the UK\u2019s domestic framework which allow the Treasury to hold the regulators to account. In addition, Ministers and officials meet regularly with the regulators to discuss policy issues and areas of joint work or interest, while recognising the regulators\u2019 operational independence.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Arundel and South Downs"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-05-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-05-09T11:00:08.15Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-05-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Funerals: Pre-payment"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Financial Conduct Authority's regulation of the funeral care plan sector.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4866", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alexander Stafford"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rother Valley"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alexander Stafford"}
      ], "uin" : "183615"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1608539", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1608539/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>In January 2021, the government legislated to bring all pre-paid funeral plan providers and intermediaries within the regulatory remit of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from 29 July 2022. This has ensured that 1.6 million funeral plan customers are, for the first time, protected by compulsory and robust regulation.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Throughout this process, the government has worked very closely with the FCA to ensure that the regulation of the sector is proportionate and effective. The government and the FCA continue to engage regularly as we monitor the implementation of regulation in this sector. <strong> <\/strong><\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Arundel and South Downs"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-04-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-04-17T12:23:44.037Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Funerals: Pre-payment"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the Financial Conduct Authority on regulation of the funeral plans sector.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4866", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alexander Stafford"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rother Valley"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alexander Stafford"}
      ], "uin" : "176716"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1457604", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1457604/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>In January 2021, the government legislated to bring all pre-paid funeral plan providers and intermediaries within the regulatory remit of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means that by 29 July 2022 all funeral plan providers must be authorised by the FCA.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Safe Hands Plans has recently gone into administration. I am aware that the current situation will be distressing for customers of Safe Hands and can assure you that the Treasury continues to monitor the implementation of regulation in this sector closely.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>While the FCA does not yet regulate funeral plan providers, it is currently supporting the industry and administrators to see if a longer-term solution is possible for Safe Hands\u2019 customers.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>It is regrettable that bringing a previously unregulated sector into regulation \u2013 whatever form that may take \u2013 creates a possibility that some providers are not able to meet the threshold for authorisation. However, a well-regulated market should promote effective competition and drive better outcomes for consumers in the long-term.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Where a provider is unable to obtain FCA authorisation because of underlying issues, it is important to understand that this is not an issue created by bringing the sector into regulation. Rather, bringing the sector into regulation exposes these unsustainable business models and prevents these problems from getting worse and impacting more consumers.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The Government\u2019s legislation has allowed for an 18-month transition period before the new regulatory regime comes fully into force on 29 July 2022. This transition period was intended to give existing providers sufficient time to prepare for the new regulatory requirements. The FCA\u2019s guidance is clear that providers who are not seeking or not able to obtain authorisation should either transfer their existing plans to a provider which is seeking authorisation, or wind down in an orderly way before regulation starts.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4051", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Glen"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Salisbury"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "John Glen"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-04-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "153771"}
        , {"_value" : "153772"}
        , {"_value" : "154138"}
        ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-04-26T13:47:31.533Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
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      , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-04-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Funerals: Pre-payment"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to introduce new regulations for funeral plan providers, in response to Safe Hands Plans entering administration in March 2022.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1438", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Durham"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Kevan Jones"}
      ], "uin" : "153773"}
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