EXCLUSIVE: 79 people in Dalmuir at risk of losing funeral plans
The credit union is withdrawing an insurance plan meaning some members who've paid out for years won't see a penny back.
Last updated 3rd Apr 2025
Families in Clydebank could be left to fork out thousands of pounds when their loved one dies as 79 people are told their funeral plans are under threat.
Dalmuir Credit Union sent a letter to those affected in February to say it's removing one of the insurance schemes offered to members through a group policy.
Money lost
Seventy-four year-old Anne McCauley has been paying into the scheme every month for the last 25 years in the belief that her loved ones would be paid £2000 when she and her partner Hugh eventually die.
She exclusively told Greatest Hits Radio: "I reckon I have paid around £3,500 into this since I took the policy out.
"Lots of people will have spent more because you're allowed to put children on it up to a certain age.
"We all took out this plan in good faith and now it looks as though it's not worth the paper it's written on."
The credit union says the group of people who took out the plan is aging and there have been more payouts in recent years, meaning the premiums will increase.
It told members that it is struggling to find an insurer to look after the policy which could mean the removal of all the cash benefits and no money will be returned to anyone who has paid into the plan.
The search for answers
Dalmuir Credit Union operates independently and is not funded by West Dunbartonshire Council.
However, councillor Lauren Oxley has written to the council’s Chief Officer for Finance to ask whether there is any advice or support the local authority can offer.
She said: "I am concerned about the potential closure of the Family Protection Plan at Dalmuir Credit Union and the impact this will have on its members, many of whom are elderly and rely on this scheme for funeral cover.
"Losing this support would leave them in a very difficult position."
A statement from the board of directors at Dalmuir Credit Union said: "The credit union can confirm that there is a planned withdrawal of one of the insurance schemes, The Family Protection Plan, which the credit union offered their members through a Group Policy.
"We began consulting with those members affected at a meeting held with them on the 19th March, we emphasised our commitment to keep them fully informed of developments as we became aware of them.
"We advised members that it would take some time for the credit union to work through this challenging situation, and the credit union has been and continues to consult with the insurance provider, and other related parties about how best to secure a good solution after the policy lapses.
"The credit union has a scheduled meeting in early April, and considers it would not be appropriate to give an update on our progress within this statement, but to reserve this for the group meeting with all of those affected by this.
"We understand that this news has come as a shock to those members and the upset it has caused but would wish to assure all members that we are working diligently on their behalf."