A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed neither the Ministry of Justice, nor HM Treasury has allocated any investment for the digitalisation or reform of the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) process in the June 2025 Spending Review.
The FOI, submitted by PowerofAttorneyOnline.co.uk, confirmed the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is fee-funded and therefore was not considered for investment through the Spending Review. HM Treasury, meanwhile, stated it held “no information” within the scope of the request.
Despite LPA’s being a ‘vital legal tool for millions of families’ the request suggests digital reform is not currently being financially prioritised said Matt Cresswell, founder of PowerofAttorneyOnline.co.uk
“… while there has been positive engagement through consultations and draft legislation, progress on modernisation has been slower than many had hoped. People continue to face a paper-based, time-consuming process at the exact moment they’re often under extreme stress.”
Data from the OPG shows that over 50,000 LPA applications are rejected each year, often due to avoidable errors. With more than 1.3 million applications submitted last year, the figures highlight the urgent need for a clearer, more user-friendly system to reduce mistakes and delays.
PowerofAttorneyOnline.co.uk was founded after Cresswell’s own experiences of attempting to set up an LPA for his father, when he was first diagnosed with dementia and had the mental capacity to do so. The digital tool is designed to work alongside the official government LPA system and helps individuals and families complete their LPA documents accurately reducing the risk of rejection.
He is critical of the lack of progress on LPA reform which has sat in Parliament for four years after the consultation in 2021.
“A modern digital LPA system would not only make the process quicker and easier for families, it could also enable better safeguards, including easier and faster checks to ensure LPAs are being used appropriately and not abused. Greater transparency, real-time status tracking, and secure digital authentication could all help protect the vulnerable and increase trust in the system.”
said Cresswell.
“But the impact goes beyond convenience. When decisions can be made quickly and confidently, without legal delays or confusion, people receive more timely care, avoid unnecessary hospital admissions, and families experience less stress. In turn, this helps ease pressure on an already stretched NHS.”
“We urgently need a modern, digital-first system that gives people access to this crucial protection without jumping through hoops. This isn’t about cutting corners, it’s about using technology to ease an already difficult time and ensure the right safeguards are in place.”
PowerofAttorneyOnline.co.uk is calling on the new government to prioritise digital LPA reform as a matter of national urgency, particularly as the UK’s ageing population grows and demand for accessible, secure future planning tools continues to rise.
3 responses
No surprises here then .. all the effort, time and vision that many have shared over that last 18months – 2 years including myself to what end ? ?
A genuine need to digitalise is what clients really need here.
A need to digitise is definitely needed.
But also, more public information and engagement on the importance of these documents being done early, when the going is good.
Then there is no rushing around to complete them in a hurry.
Disagree for the people who are actually taking up LPAs – they are already confused. That situation is going to get worse when the Government Portal gets involved.
Younger people who by and large are NOT taking them up might benefit.
Needed:
1) Start the clock when the post arrives at the OPG, not weeks later when it is opened.
2) Stop wasting vast amounts on needless post – use C5 envelopes for acknowledgements (or email) single LPAs and (stronger) C4 for 2 – 4 LPAs.
3) Get rid of the 4 week waiting period when there are no notifiable people.
4) Offer combined forms
5) Print the name of the applicant alongside the type of LPA at the bottom (yes, I did drop a batch!)
6) Have the same caseworker deal with all 4 LPAs from a couple.
Any more thoughts? I am certain not all of those require legislation.