Plea for bonds in Peps
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.CASH deposits have Tessas and shares have Peps, but there are no tax shelters with catchy names to encourage savers to invest in bonds.
The unit trust industry thinks this is unfair and is lobbying hard to persuade the Chancellor to make changes in the March Budget. The Unit Trust Association wants the rules relaxed to allow personal equity plans to invest in fixed-interest bonds.
Quite apart from helping unit trust companies to sell more of their bond funds, the industry argues that the move would help the Government to fill a pounds 50bn hole in the nation's finances by allowing private investors to buy gilts (government bonds) through Peps.
Peps were conceived as a way of encouraging private investors to back British industry by buying shares, but large companies also issue bonds as an alternative source of finance, and the Association of Corporate Treasurers is keen for Peps to be allowed to invest in them.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments