Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

John Glen Excerpts
Tuesday 4th March 2025

(2 days, 4 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Emma Reynolds Portrait Emma Reynolds
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I think that premium bonds do provide excitement, not least in my parents’ household, where they are very popular. They are already well promoted and popular, and we have seen annual investments in premium bonds increase by more than 50% since March 2019. The funds raised through them go towards supporting vital public services.

John Glen Portrait John Glen (Salisbury) (Con)
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I warmly welcome the Government’s commitment to extend the help to save scheme, which has been running for seven years. Martin Lewis describes it as

“a very clever scheme and one that will work for many people.”

May I urge the Minister to look at what needs to be done to raise awareness of it, because the actual uptake is very low, given that the Government have been giving £1,200 over four years? It is critical that the right investment in promoting it happens, because it is such a brilliant scheme.

Emma Reynolds Portrait Emma Reynolds
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I could not agree with one of my predecessors more. The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct. It is a great scheme and now that we are expanding it, we will take that opportunity to promote it better.