Interview with Paul Allcock

Government Liaison, SAIF

“If you have the right measures and mindset, treating every family as your own, regulation won’t be a great issue.”

Full interview (Q&A)

Paul, tell us a bit about your role as SAIF's Government Liaison and what motivates you to dedicate your time to this important work?

For me, it was needing a new challenge after many years as a funeral director. I'd built my business to a comfortable level but always believed in not overworking myself – having seen others drive themselves into an early grave. I needed something to get the grey matter working. Being able to enlighten decision-makers in Government, who perhaps lacked understanding about our profession, felt really interesting and enjoyable. After being SAIF President, the Government Liaison role was the next step. I've thoroughly enjoyed it for the last 10 years.

How has the role of Government Liaison evolved, particularly since COVID-19, and what have been the main drivers of change?

Pre-COVID, the role felt more varied, engaging across departments like DWP and the Home Office – we were even discussing pandemic planning before 2020, though perhaps not enough was taken on board. Post-COVID, several influential events have really directed Government attention towards the funeral industry. The Fuller Inquiry, the tragic Legacy situation in Hull and the CMA's investigation into pricing and transparency have all significantly amplified the call for regulation of the funeral sector. These are the main elements driving the current focus and shaping where we are now.

What have been the biggest successes of SAIF's engagement with Government departments over the years?

Honestly, I think the biggest achievement has been becoming a trusted 'go-to' for advice on funeral matters. Building relationships and gaining the trust of people within Government departments has been key. There have been notable results, like helping get the non-essential element of the Funeral Expenses Payment raised from £700 to £1,000 – although it could still be higher. Even the CMA outcome, while not ideal, could have been stricter.

Hopefully, the biggest success is yet to come with the outcomes on regulation. The noises are positive, but we wait and see. Just having that inside track, being trusted and being contacted for confidential discussions is very rewarding and probably the biggest success I can state. I learned early on that antagonising officials doesn't work; being approachable and building positive relationships, as we do as funeral directors, is far more beneficial.

Following recent funeral-related scandals, you've been engaging with the Government on standards and processes. Can you tell us about that work, including the SAIF/NAFD common code?

A lot of my role involves 'teaching' – giving Government departments a clear picture of the challenges and skills relating to funeral directors. Following the CMA report and other inquiries calling for regulation, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) was tasked with exploring options. They seemed keen to see if the trade associations' existing checks were sufficient, due to possibly lacking the resources for full independent regulation. However, they wanted recognised policies across the industry, which was difficult with SAIF and the NAFD having different codes and inspection levels, and 10–20 percent of firms having no oversight.

The Fuller report added pressure. Bearing this in mind, we held discussions with the NAFD to establish a joint code, which could also potentially oversee non-members. It seemed logical to use the code already adopted by the Scottish Government. After much discussion, this was agreed upon. From March next year, both associations will use the same core code structure, with specific addendums for each membership. This proactive collaboration was very well received by the MoJ and is essential as we move towards regulation – the industry needs to show it can work as one.

How might non-members be brought under this new code or regulatory framework?

We have no direct control over non-members. We've proposed making trade association membership obligatory, and there was Parliamentary debate on this in late October. This could be one answer and would simplify things, assuming the Government accepts our standards are appropriate.

Both SAIF and NAFD already have quality assurance and inspection models. The SAIF code is largely based on the Scottish statutory one, so changes for our members would be minimal. The big question is what the Government will finally decide. We're awaiting an announcement from the MoJ, possibly imminently. It would be wonderful if they recognised that the industry polices itself well – our complaint levels are minimal compared to other sectors, though any complaint is emotive and significant in our profession. Inspections after the Legacy situation often highlighted issues primarily among non-trade association members, which supports our case.

Looking ahead, how do you see regulation developing in 2026 and beyond, and how should funeral directors prepare?

Regulation now seems inevitable, but what it looks like is the question. I don't think it will be akin to regulation in sectors dominated by huge companies, like financial services. The Government recognises our industry has thousands of small, independent businesses, often family-run, and that the traditional, heavy form of regulation could be overbearing and potentially put good firms out of existence – firms that often offer the most personal service.

They understand the nature of our industry. If funeral directors concentrate on high standards – of care, premises (within reason, as care is paramount) and staff training – they shouldn't fear regulation. These are things we should all be doing anyway. If you have the right measures and mindset, treating every family as your own, regulation won't be a great issue. Hopefully, they've listened to our input over the last few years. We expect an interim update from the MoJ soon, with a final report likely next summer. Implementation will take time, allowing firms to adjust.

Finally, what's your single-most important message for independent funeral directors looking to the future?

Keep an open mind, because things often go down different avenues than expected – I've learned that working with Government! But fundamentally, strive for the highest standards of service. If you aim to do the very best you can for the families you serve, even with limited resources, then you shouldn't have anything to fear, whatever regulation looks like. Treat everyone as if they were one of your own.

About Paul Allcock

Paul Allcock is Government Liaison Officer for SAIF and has worked as a funeral director for over 40 years. His focus is on constructive engagement with Government so the profession’s voice is heard when regulation is being shaped.

FM Insights is published by Funeral Manager to provide funeral professionals with useful, forward-looking content.