Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the impact of the delays in the Office of Public Guardian processing applications for Lasting Power of Attorney on applicants and their families.

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) understand that the delays are frustrating for customers, at a time when applicants and their families are planning for their future, which can already be distressing.

A backlog of applications to register lasting powers of attorney built up during the pandemic and, as restrictions eased, there was a subsequent significant increase in the numbers of applications being received. Customers are currently waiting up to 20 weeks for a lasting powers of attorney to be registered, which includes a four-week statutory notice period.

Lasting powers of attorney are tools for long term financial planning, however, in cases where there is an urgent need e.g. if a customer has a terminal illness, OPG do have a process for expediting the registration.

OPG is working hard to improve the service being offered to customers. Frontline operational staff have worked in the office throughout the pandemic and continue to do so, with OPG’s Birmingham office operating at maximum capacity. Staff are working day and evening shifts to maximise the use of office space. Managers are also encouraging staff to work overtime through the week and at weekends to increase the volume of lasting powers of attorney being registered. Staff are being recruited on a rolling basis and the use of agency staff is being extended.