Child Trust Fund bill passes key Commons vote

5 mins read

Friday 13 November 2026

We’re pleased to share another positive step forward in our campaign to unlock Child Trust Funds for young disabled people who lack mental capacity.  

This week, the Financial Services and Markets Bill passed its Second Reading in the House of Commons. While this is a technical stage in Parliament, it matters because this is the exact piece of legislation the government is using to change the law around Child Trust Funds. This change will mean families won’t have to go through the Court of Protection process to access thier child’s savings. The Court of Protection process is lengthy and costly.

Many of you are asking us when this change will come into effect. Here is where things stand right now, what happens next, and what you can do in the meantime. 

What happened in Parliament? 

Earlier this month, the government announced it would end the Child Trust Fund lock-out.

During Treasury Questions in the Commons, Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby MP said:

“I will table an amendment to the Financial Services and Markets Bill, the Second Reading of which is next week, which will enable the Ministry of Justice to make regulations to put the change into action.” 

She also praised the campaigners who have fought for years to highlight how unfair the current system is. She thanked parents like Andrew Turner for his tireless work. 

With the Bill having passed its Second Reading on 10 November, MPs have officially backed its general principles. This clears the way for the detailed work to begin. 

When will the new rules come into force? 

It’s important to note that the law hasn’t changed yet, and there isn’t a set date for when the new scheme will open. However, there is a clear path forward: 

  • Committee Stage (dates to be announced soon). MPs will now examine the Bill line by line. This is the stage where the government will formally add its Child Trust Fund amendment.  
  • Remaining Commons stages & Royal Assent. After Committee Stage, the Bill goes back to the full House of Commons for Report Stage and Third Reading. The Bill has already been through the House of Lords. Once the Commons finishes its work and both Houses agree on the final wording, it will receive Royal Assent and become law.  
  • Ministry of Justice regulations. The new law gives the Ministry of Justice the power to set up the new, simpler scheme. They will need to publish the detailed regulations – such as what evidence providers will ask for and whether there is a cap on the amount you can withdraw – before banks and building societies can roll it out. 

We are working closely with MPs, officials and the finance industry to push for this to happen as quickly as possible.

We’re also aiming to make sure the new scheme is genuinely straightforward for families to use. 

What can I do right now and what is the “Industry Process” 

You don’t necessarily have to wait for the law to change to help your young person access their savings. 

Many Child Trust Fund providers already use a self developed voluntary arrangement known as the Industry Process. This allows parents and carers who are already a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Appointee (or hold similar proof) to access accounts without needing a Court of Protection order.  

If your child lacks mental capacity and is approaching 18, or has already turned 18, and their account is frozen, here is what you can do today: 

  1. Find out who holds the account. If you’re unsure which provider holds your child’s account, you can trace it through HMRC’s Child Trust Fund finder on GOV.UK. (If your young person is already 18 or over, they will usually need to give consent for HMRC to share this. For this reason, it is best to check before their 18th birthday if you can). 
  1. Contact your provider directly: Speak to your Child Trust Fund provider and specifically ask if they operate the “Industry Process” for young adults who lack mental capacity. Providers such as OneFamily, Foresters, Nationwide, Santander, Co-Operative Bank and Coventry are leading the way in this area. Others may also use this process. 
  1. Ask for the specialist support or maturity team: Frontline call staff don’t always know about the Industry Process. If they say no, politely ask them to double-check or to escalate your call. 
  1. Live in Scotland? The rules are slightly different. You can speak to the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) about their Access to Funds scheme on 01324 677 140 or email [email protected].  

Not all providers use the Industry Process, and some have limits on the balance they will release under it. If your provider refuses, we hope that the legislation coming in the New Year will help resolve this. If your young person is under 18, you have the additional option of transferring to a different provider. 

Further support 

You don’t have to navigate this alone.  

Connect with other families, ask questions about specific banks and providers, and share your experiences in our Unlock Our Savings Facebook group.  

You can also read our step-by-step guide. Visit our Child Trust Fund campaign page to use our interactive flowchart and find more detailed advice on accessing your child’s savings.