CHARGES for the burial of children should be scrapped, according to the SNP in Renfrewshire.

 

The opposition councillors made the call after tough council budget negotiations ended last week.

The Labour-led administration opted to increase charges for most services by 2.5%, including the burial of children.

However, it has emerged that the same fees were hiked when the SNP were running the council.

Most local authorities bill bereaved families for internment of their loved ones at graveyards.

It costs £445 for the burial of an adult in Renfrewshire while neighbouring Glasgow City council charges almost double that.

Parents in Renfrewshire who have lost children currently pay £132.50 for an internment, after it was increased by the SNP administration in 2010.

Previously it cost £81.05 for the burial of a child aged 5 to 12 and £35.95 for a tot under 5.

Labour-led Renfrewshire Council recently hiked the cost by 2.5%, in line with an increase for many services.

The leader of the SNP opposition group, Councillor Iain Nicolson, who voted for an increase in burial charges in 2010, has now urged the Labour administration to rethink the recent rise.

He said: "We moved to remove all charges for the burial and internment of children under the age of 16. Labour voted it out and instead ramped up charges.

"Other councils have waived these charges, which is what we intended. It's one simple change that would show a more compassionate council.

"Renfrewshire Council should be leading the way on this issue. I think the public would support it. It was raised (with the SNP) by constituents."

Deputy leader of Renfrewshire Council, Mike Holmes, dismissed the criticism and insisted bereaved families who can't afford to pay are offered support by the local authority.

He said: "Councillor Nicolson's hypocrisy is there for all to see. The previous SNP administration increased the costs of a burial lair for a child under 5 years old by 368% overnight - and had plans to further increase them by another 368%. We froze these charges."

The Labour councillor added: "For those in financial hardship the council has a range of options that will help families meet this cost."