Invite your MP to Child Trust Fund Westminster Hall debate

2 mins read

Tuesday 12 March 2024

Tags: junion IASs, westminster hall debate, child trust funds, savings, preparing for adulthood

Parent carer Andrew Turner has secured an important debate in Parliament next Tuesday 19 March at 4.30pm.

The Westminster Hall debate will consider the thousands of disabled youngsters unable to access savings held in their Child Trust Funds and Junior ISAs .

It’s important that lots of MPs attend the Westminster Hall debate. The government must understand what it needs to do to stop disabled youngsters missing out on their savings.

We are grateful to Jeremy Quin, MP for Horsham, who is leading the Westminster Hall debate, “Child Trust Fund access for people seeking to manage the finances of others”.

Why this debate is important

More than 80,000 disabled young people have a Child Trust Fund – a type of tax-free savings account. However, due to lacking mental capacity, the vast majority of are struggling to access their own savings. This is because families must apply to the Court of Protection – a process that many find complicated, lengthy and in many cases, costly.

We all agree that there must be a process in place that protects vulnerable people from financial abuse. But alternative solutions are available. One is the expansion of the Appointee scheme, under which many parents are entrusted to manage their child’s benefits.

At the debate, we want MPs to ask the Government to do more so that disabled youngsters don’t miss out on their savings.

Ask your MP to attend the debate using our quick and easy campaign action.

A government minister will have to respond to the debate, so it’s important that lots of MPs attend to show what an important issue this is for families with disabled children.