Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to amend legislation to help (1) child trust fund beneficiaries who do not have the capacity to make their own financial decisions, and (2) the families of those beneficiaries, to access their savings, without needing to apply to the Court of Protection for a financial deputyship; and what estimate they have made of the number of child trust funds that belong to young people in this category.

Following a public consultation, the Government concluded it would not seek to amend legislation in this area but would instead seek to address issues in the existing system whilst also continuing the appropriate protections and safeguards for vulnerable individuals.

A programme of work is already underway to streamline and simplify the property and affairs application process in the Court of Protection.

The Government does not collect figures on the number of Child Trust Funds held by individuals who lack mental capacity.