MP for Pudsey, Stuart Andrew, raised the subject of carers and online banking in Parliament last week, highlighting the need for the Government to improve the difficult circumstances faced by some carers in helping those they care for to live independent lives.  Stuart was moved to secure this debate after meeting with his constituent, Annie Dransfield, the full-time carer of her 32 year old son who suffers from cerebral palsy and mental health issues.

Mrs. Dranfield manages her son’s finances as his deputy, a position granted her by the Court of Protection.  This arrangement worked successfully until one day the bank stopped her access, telling her it was illegal.  Following a ruling in her favour by the Financial Ombudsman Service, the bank still refused her access and it wasn’t until the national media became involved that the bank was forced to take action and reinstate her access.

Sadly Mrs. Dransfield’s case is not an uncommon one for carers, which is why Stuart believes it is vital that more be done to help those that have been and will be affected by cases such as hers.

Stuart Andrew MP said: “Banks should make better provision for carers and take into consideration the needs of their customers.  They should therefore ensure that arrangements are in place to assist customers with mental health issues, and that staff with specialist knowledge of these requirements are available to assist when necessary.”

Following the debate, the Exchequer Secretary to HM Treasury, David Gauke MP, has agreed to meet with Stuart and Mrs. Dransfield to discuss this issue further and to look at proposals to address this concern.

Stuart Andrew MP said: “I was most pleased to hear the Minister’s response and hope that we can now move forward and help ensure that cases such as that of Mrs. Dransfield become a thing of the past.  Carers should not have to spend their valuable spare time, when they are not looking after the people they care for, going through a complex bureaucratic complaints procedure.”