People with learning difficulties to be given more help to open bank accounts

The government has pledged to improve access to financial
services for people with learning difficulties, writes
Clare Jerrom.

In its second annual report on learning disability, the
government acknowledged that people with learning difficulties have
problems opening bank accounts and more could be done to help
them.

“One of the things that people have told us about direct
payments is that people are having problems with accounts,”
said the report. “The government will discuss with the
British Bankers Association what can be done to make opening bank
accounts easier.”

The government has also promised to investigate ways to ensure
people with learning difficulties are aware that under the new GP
contract, people can ask for a health check if they haven’t
seen a doctor in the last three years.

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