Bolton:Safe Hands Plans in administration as residents worry

Joh Beatty, aged 70, paid the thousands of the pounds into a pre-paid funeral plan run by Safe Hands Plans, a company which is now in adminstration.

Mr Beatty is the second person to contact The Bolton News upset and frustrated.

And now for the first time Safe Hands Plans has responded after being contacted by the paper again.

Mr Beatty, 70, from Horwich says he has not heard anything from Safe Hands Plus since it went into administration a few months ago.

He took out a funeral policy for himself and his wife, Dorothy, 68, in 2017, spending £6,500.

He also took out a policy for his brother-in-law Brian, which was used when Brian died in September 2018.

Mr Beatty said: “We thought everything was secure.

• Bolton: Couple left worried after Safe Hands Plans goes into administration

“When Dorothy’s brother passed away, they were really good.

“It was the only reason we took the policy out.

“No body seems to be bothering and it’s very frustrating.

John Beatty

“There is a bit of a sickness feeling.”

He says that he has money for the future if he is not able to get his money back.

However, it is money that he ‘doesn’t want to spend on funerals’.

Mr Beatty added: “I can’t do anything about it.

“If anything happens, I will have to deal with it when it happens.

“I wish somebody would contact me and say ‘this is what is happening’.

• Pre-paid funeral plans -what you need to know

A spokesperson for Safe Hands said: “Nedim Ailyan and Ben Stanyon from specialist business advisory firm FRP were appointed to Safe Hands Plans Limited as Joint Administrators on Wednesday March 23 2022.

"Upon appointment, the business ceased to trade.

"The Joint Administrators have agreed an interim funeral service provision with Dignity Funerals Limited.

"This will temporarily provide existing customers with funeral planning services for the foreseeable future, from the date of administration, while the administrators explore a potential long-term solution.

John is just one of a number of people affected by this Credit (PA)

"We appreciate how upsetting this period will be for Safe Hands Plans’ customers and their families.

"There is a dedicated UK-based customer service team that has been established by the Joint Administrators to assist with any questions.

"They can be contacted by freephone on 0800 640 9928.

"There is also a customer FAQ page online at https://www.safehandsplans.co.uk/."

A spokesperson for Dignity said: “Mr Beatty’s situation highlights why regulation of the funeral plan sector was needed and long overdue.

"We passionately believe funeral plans are an inherently good product that help people plan and pay for their funeral in advance.

"As a socially responsible company we want to help those that believed they had paid for a funeral and are now left without a service.

"If Mr Beatty has yet to hear from FRP Advisory, the administrator of Safe Hands, we suggest he contacts them.

"We plan to offer all customers of Safe Hands a significant discount on a FCA regulated Dignity funeral plan.

"The final details are very close to being agreed and the administrator will then write to all Safe Hands customers.

"Until the end of October 2022, Dignity will also continue to fulfil Safe Hands funeral plans for people that have passed away at no cost to their family.”