Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Child Trust Fund: Recipients with Disabilities

Tuesday 7 May 2024 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministry of Justice launched a programme in June 2023 to raise awareness of the Mental Capacity Act and introduced a toolkit.
  • The Minister is willing to meet with Vicky Foxcroft to discuss further solutions.
  • The Minister supports collaboration with the Financial Conduct Authority and other departments to assist disabled customers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Benefits & Welfare Standards & Ethics Mental Health
Context

Parents of young people without capacity face challenges in accessing their child trust fund through deputyship orders. A consultation on a mental capacity small payment scheme was held but not legislated upon.

Question

Whether the government has taken recent steps to ensure that people with disabilities can access their child trust fund when they turn 18. The only way for parents is through a deputyship order, and over 80,000 young people remain locked out of their funds. Would the Minister agree to look at this issue again?

Answer from Bim Afolami

The Ministry of Justice launched a programme in June 2023 to raise awareness of the Mental Capacity Act, and introduced a toolkit. The Minister is willing to meet with the hon. Member to discuss further solutions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific review or legislative action requested was not committed to

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Q2 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Benefits & Welfare Mental Health
Context

Over 80,000 young people in England and Wales are unable to access their child trust fund due to lack of capacity. A mental capacity small payment scheme was considered but not legislated upon.

Question

After consulting on a mental capacity small payment scheme, which would allow temporary access to release funds, Ministers opted for a toolkit instead. Would the Minister agree to look at this issue again?

Answer from Bim Afolami

The hon. Lady is campaigning in this area. The Minister met with colleagues, including the Member for Sheffield Central, to discuss this issue and is willing to meet again with the hon. Lady.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific review or legislative action requested was not committed to

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Q3 Jeremy Quin Con
Employment Benefits & Welfare Standards & Ethics
Context

Financial institutions are making efforts to ease access for disabled customers. The Treasury's support is sought for cross-departmental collaboration.

Question

I am grateful for the meeting referred to by the Minister. Will he compliment financial institutions trying to make it easier for their disabled customers, and would such a broader approach have his support?

Answer from Bim Afolami

Financial Conduct Authority collaboration is key. Working with the Ministry of Justice, Department for Work and Pensions, and ensuring no regulatory issues for compliant financial institutions has support from the Minister.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific legislative action requested was not committed to

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