Overview

• The prize fund rate fell from 4.4% to 3.8% in April, sitting marginally above the 3.5% inflation rate and vulnerable to further reductions.
• Octopus Money analysis reveals an average 3.5-year wait for a first payout, with many bondholders never winning any prize.
• Each £1 bond carries a 1 in 22,000 chance of winning, and 88% of 2024 winners received less than £2,000.
• More than £4.25 billion remains in accounts inactive for over a decade, eroding value as inflation persists.
• Financial experts advise savers with smaller holdings to consider fixed-rate or high-interest accounts for more predictable returns.