The fee, which critics had branded a ‘fat tax’, would have seen a cemetery charge an extra 20% for a 6ft-wide plot compared to the standard 5ft
A council has decided against introducing a premium on wider burial plots in Wolverhampton following condemnation that it was a “fat tax”.
Danescourt cemetery in Tettenhall had planned to charge an extra 20% to families whose loved ones need a 6ft-wide plot, as opposed to a standard 5ft grave. Wolverhampton council previously said the higher charge was in response to an increase in obesity levels in the Midlands city, where a third of people are obese, compared with the national average of just over a quarter.
Councillors had approved the charges in May after consultation with local funeral parlours, but backed down on Thursday. Wolverhampton city council said: “No formal decision was ever taken on plans to charge more for larger burial plots. This is a common practice taken by councils around the country, where higher charges cover the costs of providing a larger plot.
“However, while under consideration, we have decided not to proceed with the plans.”
