Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Child Savings Accounts (Mental Capacity and Disability)

30 June 2026 · 1 other contributor

Opened by John Milne Lib Dem Horsham

Benefits & WelfareMental Health

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

John Milne raised concerns about child savings accounts (mental capacity and disability) in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • Mr. Milne moved a Bill to address access to matured child savings accounts for young people who lack mental capacity.
  • The Bill highlights the financial hardship faced by families like Andrew Turner, whose son Mikey cannot manage his own money due to a lack of mental capacity.
  • Mr. Milne emphasized that current legislation locks away savings funds, making them inaccessible to families with children who have disabilities.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

John Milne Lib Dem Horsham

Mr. Milne moved a Bill to make provision about access to matured child savings accounts in the name of a young person who lacks capacity, requiring the Secretary of State to review savings provision for children and young people with disabilities including those who lack capacity; highlighting an injustice faced by families like Andrew Turner, whose son Mikey lacks mental capacity and cannot manage his own money despite having saved for him through a child trust fund. He emphasised that without proper legislation, these funds are effectively locked away and inaccessible to families, causing significant financial hardship and emotional distress.

Other contributors (1)
  • John Milne Ind Horsham

    Mr. Milne detailed the case of Mikey Turner, a young person with profound disabilities who lacks mental capacity to manage money independently. He explained that when Mikey's child trust fund matured on his 18th birthday, his parents were unable to access it due to legal barriers, despite being recognised by the Department for Work and Pensions as appointees managing benefits on Mikey’s behalf. Mr. Milne argued that this issue affects approximately 80,000 disabled young people and proposed a solution in the form of legislation that would establish clear pathways for parents to access their children's savings accounts.

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