£2,242 Child Trust Fund 2025: Thousands of young people across the UK are sitting on unclaimed government savings, with HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) revealing that over 758,000 Child Trust Fund (CTF) accounts remain untouched. The average unclaimed pot now stands at £2,242, and the total amount of forgotten savings exceeds £1.5 billion.
This article explains everything about how to find your Child Trust Fund, who is eligible, what to avoid when claiming, and why you should not pay private agents who charge high fees for a free process.
UK Child Trust Fund 2025
A Child Trust Fund is a long-term, tax-free savings account launched by the UK government under the Labour administration in 2005 to help children build financial assets for adulthood. Every child born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 was eligible to receive a government contribution of £250 (or more for low-income families).
These accounts were designed to teach financial responsibility and encourage saving habits, allowing children to take control at age 16. Once they turn 18, the account matures, and the money becomes fully accessible for withdrawal or reinvestment.
Eligibility for Child Trust Fund
You may have a CTF if you were:
- Born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011
- Received a government voucher from HMRC after birth
- Did not convert your CTF into a Junior ISA after the scheme ended in 2011
Child Trust Fund Payment Amount
The average unclaimed Child Trust Fund holds around £2,242, but some accounts are worth significantly more depending on investment growth and additional parental contributions. Over the years, the government’s initial deposits could have grown impressively—especially if invested in stock market-based products offered by providers like OneFamily or The Share Foundation.
How to Find Your Child Trust Fund for Free
Locating your lost Child Trust Fund is quick, simple, and completely free through GOV.UK. You can use the “Find your Child Trust Fund” tool available at www.gov.uk by searching the phrase ‘find your Child Trust Fund’.
Steps to locate your CTF:
- Go to the official GOV.UK Child Trust Fund Finder page.
- Enter your National Insurance number and date of birth.
- HMRC will send instructions via email or post about your account provider.
- Contact the provider directly to access or withdraw your funds.
According to HMRC, more than 563,000 people used this free tool in the past year alone, and most received responses within three weeks.
Child Trust Fund Unclaimed Amount
Thousands of accounts remain unclaimed due to lack of awareness. Many young adults either don’t realize they have one, have forgotten about old accounts opened by parents, or no longer have access to their original paperwork.
Some accounts were automatically created by the government when parents didn’t set one up within 12 months of receiving the voucher, meaning the child might never have known it existed.
Additionally, those from low-income families or with limited financial literacy are disproportionately likely not to have claimed their savings, prompting calls for automatic payouts from some MPs.
Child Trust Fund is a Free Service.
Several third-party “CTF tracing” companies advertise services to help people locate their CTFs, often charging between £100 and £350 or taking up to 25% of the savings value. HMRC has strongly warned against such services since the entire process can be completed for free using official channels.
These agents typically ask for the same information (like National Insurance number and date of birth), but choosing them can delay the process and reduce the final payout.
Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive, reaffirmed:
“Thousands of Child Trust Fund accounts are sitting unclaimed. We want to reunite young people with their money, and the process is free just search ‘find your Child Trust Fund’ on GOV.UK.”
Child Trust Fund Investment Value
The value of a CTF depends on several factors:
- The type of account (cash or stocks and shares)
- Extra family contributions made over the years
- Investment performance from providers
- Any interest accumulated
On average, HMRC estimates these dormant accounts contain £2,242, while some investment-based accounts could exceed £5,000. Collectively, over £1.5 billion remains in unclaimed savings.
Who manages Child Trust Funds?
CTFs were managed by banks, building societies, or investment companies. The government maintains a list of authorized Child Trust Fund providers, including:
These providers continue to manage accounts even after the scheme closed to new participants in 2011, and funds will remain active until claimed or reinvested.
How does the Child Trust Fund help the UK economy?
Encouraging young people to claim and reinvest their CTFs aligns with the government’s Plan for Change, aiming to stimulate financial independence and savings among young citizens. Releasing over £1.5 billion into circulation can also boost household cash flow and spending power, supporting the broader economy.
Benefits of Claiming Your Child Trust Fund
- Access to a tax-free lump sum
- Freedom to reinvest or save for future goals
- Improved financial literacy and independence
- A step towards economic empowerment for young adults
Even if you decide not to withdraw the money, reinvesting it through an ISA or other savings instruments can continue to grow your funds tax-free.
If you were born between September 2002 and January 2011, you might have savings of £2,242. HMRC is encouraging all eligible young people to reclaim their unclaimed Child Trust Fund money, whether it’s for education, business, or future savings.
FAQs About the Child Trust Fund (CTF)
1. What is a Child Trust Fund (CTF)?
A CTF is a tax-free savings account set up by the UK government for children born between September 2002 and January 2011.
2. How much money is in a typical Child Trust Fund?
The average account holds around £2,242, though some may exceed £5,000, depending on investment growth and contributions.
3. Is it safe to use third-party companies to find my CTF?
It’s unnecessary and often costly. Use the free GOV.UK “Find your Child Trust Fund” tool instead.
4. Can I claim someone else’s CTF, like my child’s or sibling’s?
Parents and legal guardians can trace a child’s account if they’re under 18. Adults aged 18–23 must claim directly.
5. What happens if I never claim my CTF?
The funds remain safe with your provider until you claim or reinvest them. They don’t expire or revert to the government.