Wolverhampton drops wider grave premium

Wolverhampton council scrapped a proposed 20 percent premium for 6ft graves after facing criticism that it was unfair

Wolverhampton council rethinks plan to introduce premium on wider graves

Wolverhampton council has halted plans to charge a 20% premium for 6ft burial plots at Danescourt cemetery after critics called the measure a fat tax and unfair. The proposal had been approved in May following discussions with 25 funeral directors, but public and professional opposition mounted and the council backed away on Thursday. Officials argued the higher fee would reflect the extra space and equipment needed for larger graves, noting that some councils already apply similar charges.

The plan raised concerns about fairness for families seeking joint plots or who fall into larger body categories, with residents labeling the move discriminatory. Funeral director Ross Hickton described the charge as a fat tax that is not acceptable or fair, while others pointed to the practical realities of cemetery space. The broader debate touched on how councils price public services when space is finite and demand remains high, and it mirrored a wider pattern where local authorities experiment with higher fees for larger burial plots across the country.

The reversal shows how local policy can bend to public scrutiny. It highlights the tension between space constraints in cemeteries and the principle of equal treatment for families of all sizes. The episode also exposes how data such as obesity rates can be used to justify pricing decisions, provoking questions about proportionality and consent in local governance. In the end, the council chose caution over controversy, a move that could influence how future charges are framed and communicated to residents.

Highlights

The debate over fairness in local services continues to unfold beyond the grave.