As part of the recent Budget measures, it has been confirmed that the Help to Save scheme is to be extended by a further 2 years, until April 2027. The last date an account can be opened under the current scheme will be 5 April 2027. Around 517,000 Help to Save accounts have been opened since its launch in 2018.

The Help to Save scheme is intended to help those on low incomes to boost their savings. Eligible users of the scheme can save between £1 and £50 every calendar month and receive a 50% government bonus. The 50% bonus is payable at the end of the second and fourth years and is based on how much account holders have saved. The bonus is paid directly into the account holder’s chosen bank account.

This means that account holders on low incomes can receive a maximum bonus of up to £1,200 on savings of £2,400 for 4 years from the date the account is opened.

The eligibility rules for the scheme will also be widened from April 2025 with the scheme opening to all working Universal Credit claimants earning at least £1 a month. The government has also launched a consultation on the most effective way to deliver the new wider scheme. The consultation is open for comment until 22 January 2025.