An Opportunity Lost? Exploring the benefits of the Child Trust Fund on youth transitions into adulthood

With the decision to abolish the Child Trust Fund announced by the Conservative/Liberal Democrat
Coalition in May 2010, this paper explores what impact the abandonment of a unique policy innovation
will have in relation to youth transitions: in so doing it outlines the policy context and the central
idea of the ‘asset-effect’. Some thought is then given to the criticisms of the Child Trust Fund before
the policy, and its asset-effect is considered with regards to its relationship to, and potential benefit
for, youth transitions and improving social mobility. In conclusion the paper argues that despite the
decision to scrap the policy, there is scope to learn from those who do retain their Child Trust Fund.