Power of Attorney Online has urged the Government to implement a “modern, digital-first” power of attorney system, after new data revealed that it has not invested in the process.
A Freedom of Information request submitted by the company found that 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 lack of investment comes despite years of consultation and increasing public awareness for a faster, more accessible and secure system.
Matt Creswell, founder of Power of Attorney Online, said: “This is a vital legal tool for millions of families, and 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 Office of the Public Guardian which oversees LPAs, shows that over 50,000 LPA applications are rejected each year, often due to avoidable errors.
Creswell said that with 1.3 million applications submitted in 2024, the figures highlight the urgent need for a “clearer, more user-friendly” system.
An LPA allows a person to legally appoint someone to make decisions on their behalf if they lose mental capacity covering finances, healthcare, and property. The Powers of Attorney Bill, which supports the move to digital, remains in Parliament four years after being introduced.
Power of Attorney Online said a modern digital LPA system would not only make the process quicker and easier for families, but it could also enable better safeguards, including easier and faster checks to ensure LPAs are being used appropriately and not abused.
Creswell added: “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.”
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