Budget 2017
National Savings Fixed Rate Bond.
The Budget confirmed that National Savings and Investments (NS&I) will launch at new 3 year bond in April 2017 and will be open for applications for 12 months.
Comment
This is yet another cheap way for the government to raise money. 2.2% clearly smashes rates commercially offered by high street banks and building societies. Given that inflation is predicted to be higher than this for the next 3 years, it is cheaper for the Government to borrow from the people with a fixed rate bond via NS&I rather than the Treasury borrowing more via index linked gilts (inflation protected).
That said, for beleaguered savers, 2.2% offers a modicum of inflation protection on their savings compared to low rates are banks or higher risk stock market investment.