Overview

• Official data show 27,000 unclaimed Child Trust Fund accounts hold more than £10,000, with a further 57,000 above £5,000 and 280,000 above £1,000.
• HMRC is urging those aged 18 to 23 to use the GOV.UK ‘find my Child Trust Fund’ tool, with the average unclaimed pot for this group around £2,242.
• Child Trust Funds were opened for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, they mature at 18, and eligible teens can manage their accounts from age 16.
• The online locator requires a National Insurance number and date of birth, takes minutes to complete, and most applicants receive provider details within weeks.
• The Share Foundation estimates £123 million is unclaimed in Scotland, including about 27,000 young people from low-income backgrounds, and it is calling for automatic release of funds at age 21 via National Insurance channels.