Child Trust Fund "Injustice" and Pension Opt-Outs

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Parliament was asked this week to help tens of thousands of young adults get access to their own money. It is sitting in the state-backed Child Trust Funds set up more than 15 years ago with contributions from the government, parents and other relatives. However, because these young people have learning disabilities the legal process for getting hold of their own money can cost more than the couple of thousand pounds typically in their fund. What happens next? New figures reveal that in a single year half a million people said 'no thanks' to joining a workplace pension. Like everyone taking up a new job they were automatically enrolled into a pension, but they opted out before it even began. How might that impact their future? Capita has missed the deadline to return services to normal for civil servants facing long delays in getting their pensions sorted. And, a major change to the Lifetime ISA could see it replaced with a new product designed solely for First Time Buyers. How will it work? Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Meghan Owen Researcher: Catherine Lund Editor: Jess Quayle Senior News Editor: Sara Wadeson (First broadcast 12pm Saturday 4th July 2026)