Dear Reader Are you connected to funerals in any way? Are you somebody who has an interest in what goes on in funeralworld? Have you had to arrange a funeral, or had to think about funeral arrangements for someone close to you? Or do you work in the funeral sector? Have you seen or heard things that you know are just wrong? Are you concerned about aspects of your work, prices that you can’t justify to clients, procedures that you have to follow that you find uncomfortable, things that have gone on behind the scenes that worry you? Have you been a bit busy recently and not got round to responding to the consultation launched by the Competition and Markets Authority at the end of November? YOU’VE ONLY GOT FIVE DAYS LEFT. (We wrote about the CMA’s Interim Report on the blog here and here if you want to refresh your memory) Comments are invited on the CMA’s provisional decision to make a market investigation reference (MIR) in relation to the supply of services by funeral directors at the point of need and the supply of crematoria services in the UK. Such comments should be provided no later than 5pm on 4 January 2019 to: Funeral market study team Competition and Markets Authority Victoria House Southampton Row London WC1B 4AD E-mail: [email protected] This is hugely important. It could completely change the landscape of the funeral sector for the benefit of people who need to arrange funerals. And that, effectively, will be all of us. Please, make sure that the CMA hears from people from all walks of life who have an interest in how the funeral sector is currently operating. If you have relevant experience or thoughts on the proposed investigation into the funeral sector, then make your voice heard. If you don’t take the time to write and tell the CMA what you think, the responses received will be dominated by replies from corporate funeral operators and trade associations. Your experience matters. Your opinion matters. You are the people the CMA need to hear from. It’s time to speak up. The full interim report and details of the consultation can be downloaded here, along with the findings of the research commissioned by the CMA to understand the behaviour, experiences and decision making of people who had recently engaged the services of a funeral director. The report is a lengthy document but well worth reading – if you haven’t got time to do so, then here is a precis of what the CMA is inviting comments on: ‘The CMA considers that this interim report identifies significant concerns about the effectiveness of competition in relation to the supply of funeral services at the point of need and the supply of crematoria services in the UK.’ ‘The CMA welcomes representations from interested parties on the provisional decision set out in this document. The CMA wishes to stress the importance of the consultation process in assisting the CMA’s decision making and urges interested parties to engage with the consultation. Respondents may wish to reply in relation to the supply of services by funeral directors at the point of need, in relation to the supply of crematoria services, or both. In doing so, respondents may wish to consider the following questions: Do you consider that the CMA’s analysis is correct with respect to the suspected features of concern in the supply of:
‘8.31 Based on the evidence and our analysis set out in section 4, our provisional view is that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that one or more of the following features or combination of features prevents, restricts or distorts competition in the supply of services by funeral directors at the point of need in local areas:
‘8.33 Based on the evidence and our analysis set out in section 5, our provisional view is that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that one or more of the following features or combination of features prevents, restricts or distorts competition in the supply of crematoria services in local areas:
Do you consider that the CMA’s analysis is correct with respect to the reference test being met in relation to the supply of:
Do you agree with the CMA’s proposal to exercise its discretion to make a reference in relation to the supply of services by funeral directors at the point of need and the supply of crematoria services (see paragraphs 8.38 to 8.96)? Do you consider that the proposed scope of the reference as set out in the draft terms of the reference in Appendix F, would be sufficient to enable any adverse effect on competition (or any resulting or likely detrimental effects on consumers) caused by the features referred to in paragraphs 8.31 and 8.33 to be effectively and comprehensively remedied? Do you consider that the features which the CMA has identified that may prevent, restrict or distort competition are capable effectively and comprehensively remedied by UILs (undertakings in lieu of a MIR)? Do you have any view on our current thinking on the types of remedies that an MIR should consider (see paragraphs 8.66 to 8.86)? Are there other measures we should consider? Funeral director services:
Crematoria
Other possible remedies The CMA would particularly welcome any specific evidence from respondents in support of their views. In addition to the above, the CMA would also welcome evidence and views on the following matters:
Our intention is to publish on the CMA’s website an aggregated and anonymised summary of submissions from individuals, although if you prefer, you can indicate that you would prefer for your response to be published in full. We intend to publish all responses from business and other organisations on the CMA’s website, except those responses marked as confidential. Respondents may request that their response be kept confidential. If you would like your response to remain confidential, clearly mark it to that effect and include the reasons for confidentiality. Please restrict any confidential material to the appendices to your response. We will redact, summarise or aggregate information in published reports where this is appropriate to ensure transparency whilst protecting legitimate consumer or business interests.’ We have a chance to make a change. Right now. Do you want to improve things for bereaved people? Do you want to be a responsible citizen who stands up for what they know is right? Then find ten minutes to tell the CMA what you think. Thank you. Time to speak up published first on YouTube via Tumblr Time to speak up
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
ABOUT MEAFA is the nations leading association of funeral service industry leaders representing over 5,000 funeral homes and crematoriums across the nation offering real tools, continuing education and a sounding board for change in the industry. Archives
April 2019
Categories |