Child Trust Funds in the UK: government to ease access to savings for young disabled people

On 3 November 2026 the UK government announced plans to fix a long-standing injustice around Child Trust Funds. The aim is to make it easier for families of young disabled people to access the money saved for them. Here is the problem and what is proposed.

What is a Child Trust Fund?

A Child Trust Fund (CTF) is a savings account opened for children born in the UK roughly between 2002 and 2011. The government put in a starting sum, and parents could add their own money. The idea was simple: give a young person a financial boost as they reach adulthood. Access opens at age 18. The government says these accounts hold about £2,600 on average.

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What is the problem?

When the accounts were designed, no provision was made for an 18-year-old who cannot manage the money themselves — for example because of a severe disability or a condition that means they cannot make financial decisions. To access their own savings, families have had to go to a special court, the Court of Protection. The process is complex and often costly, so the money sits locked away for years.

What is being changed?

New legislation would let parents and carers access the savings directly through the account provider — without going to court. The detail will be set out in secondary legislation after Parliamentary approval, and the eligibility and evidence requirements will be designed with relevant organisations. The existing Court of Protection route will remain as an option.

Who does it affect?

An estimated 63,000 to 126,000 young adults are affected. Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby said these accounts hold about £2,600 on average — money that is effectively frozen. The campaign to fix this ran for about six years, according to the charity Contact.

Why are these accounts so easily forgotten?

Many families opened an account long ago and never thought about it again, and some accounts were opened automatically by the government when parents did not. As a result, by adulthood many young people simply do not know they have savings. The money does not disappear — it sits with a bank or building society waiting for its owner. It is worth checking for anyone in the relevant birth years.

What should families do now?

Nothing has changed yet, so there is nothing to do, but it is worth following the news. And anyone whose child was born roughly between 2002 and 2011 should simply check whether they have a Child Trust Fund: many accounts are forgotten, with money sitting unclaimed. You can trace a lost account free through the gov.uk service.