Eric Pickles has slammed the “over-zealous” application of health and safety rules that has resulted in gravestones being removed or toppled.
A survey of local authorities in London has revealed that nearly 10,000 headstones have been pulled down or removed by town halls in the last three years. The inspections and testing that are behind this desecration has cost the taxpayer £1.8 million.
Eric Pickles, the Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, stressed, “How we respect and remember the deceased is a wider expression of the state of our society.”
And he added, “The Government needs to act now to stop the flawed diktats handed out by Britain’s health and safety jobsworths.”
Greg Hands, the MP for Hammersmith and Fulham, who conducted the research, said, “There is now clear evidence that ill-thought out health and safety rules are leading to the municipal vandalism of our graveyards. Whilst town halls have a role in promoting public safety, any action needs to be proportionate to risk.”