THE Torfaen AM has welcomed the announcement that burial and cremation fees for children are to be scrapped in Wales.

The Welsh Government has made £1.5m available until 2020 to support local authorities and other providers of cemeteries and crematoriums to ensure a clear, fair and consistent approach across Wales.

Lynne Neagle, the chairwoman of the Assembly’s Children, Young People and Education Committee, said: “Even though Torfaen County Borough Council took its own decision to remove charges for the burial of children and infants at cemeteries in Torfaen last December, I am pleased to see this will now happen uniformly throughout Wales.

“It is tribute to the work of Carolyn Harris MP in leading a personal, brave and heartfelt campaign to highlight the issue.”

First minister Carwyn Jones urged all councils to put the agreement into force as soon as possible.