Full Breakdown
Martin Lewis Advocates for Power of Attorney Reform in Scotland
2/8/2026, 4:24:08 AM
Call for Modernization of Power of Attorney
Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com and the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, has formally urged the Scottish Government to modernize the Power of Attorney (POA) system in Scotland. In a letter addressed to Angela Constance, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, and co-signed by Austin Lafferty, former president of the Law Society of Scotland, Lewis highlighted the challenges faced by individuals attempting to utilize their POA effectively.
Issues with Current POA System
Lewis's concerns stem from feedback received during his podcast in September 2025, where a listener named Margaret described her difficulties in having banks recognize her POA. She noted that banks required a "newly certified copy" of the POA, which must be less than six months old, causing unnecessary delays. Lewis emphasized that this situation indicates that people in Scotland are "being sub-served" compared to other regions in the UK.
Proposed Solutions
Lewis advocates for the introduction of a verification process similar to the access codes used in England and Wales. These codes allow organizations to quickly access a digital summary of the POA, significantly reducing the time and effort required to present physical documents. As of April 2025, two million Powers of Attorney had been registered digitally in England and Wales, showcasing the effectiveness of this system.
Lewis stated, “I’ve heard of examples of people in Scotland struggling to get their authority as an attorney recognised when they need it urgently to act on behalf of their loved one.” He pointed out that the current process often forces attorneys to visit bank branches to prove their identity, which can be particularly stressful for those dealing with vulnerable individuals.
Professional Perspectives
Austin Lafferty and his colleagues acknowledge that while the system for creating and registering Powers of Attorney in Scotland is robust, the interaction with financial institutions often presents challenges. Lewis noted that the Office of the Public Guardian Scotland has previously indicated that verification codes are unnecessary for registered Powers of Attorney. However, he argues that implementing such a system could significantly improve the experience for individuals needing to activate their POA during critical times.
Conclusion
The call for reform by Martin Lewis and Austin Lafferty highlights a pressing need for the Scottish Government to consider changes to the Power of Attorney system. By adopting modern verification methods, the aim is to alleviate the burdens faced by attorneys and those they represent, ensuring that individuals can navigate these processes with greater ease and efficiency during vulnerable moments.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I wanted to write to you as we believe people in Scotland are being sub-served when they come to use their Power of Attorney compared with other UK nations.” — Martin Lewis, Founder of MoneySavingExpert.com
- “This causes unnecessary stress for everyone involved, at what is usually an already stressful and vulnerable time for people.” — Martin Lewis, Founder of MoneySavingExpert.com
- “I urge you to bring in a similar system (or other efficient system) to England and Wales’s access codes - let’s make it easier for the people of Scotland who are already under difficult and emotional circumstances to put their Power of Attorney into use.” — Martin Lewis, Founder of MoneySavingExpert.com
