UK parents are preparing poorly for their children’s future by overlooking JISAs

• Just 21% of parents have a Junior Stocks & Shares ISA, while 25% have a Cash JISA
• Yet 55% have a bank account in their child’s name
• Fewer than a third of parents (30%) have talked to children about investing, compared with 72% who discuss saving

London, 15 April 2026 – UK parents are missing out on investment returns and tax-free interest by overlooking JISAs in favour of standard bank accounts, according to new research from investing and trading platform IG.

The study, which suggests that the UK’s savings culture starts at home, is part of a joint initiative with parenting app Peanut to raise awareness among parents of the long-term benefits of investing as a way to support their children’s future.

While most parents are putting money aside for their children, few are using long-term investment or savings accounts designed to grow wealth tax-free. Only 21% have opened a Junior Stocks and Shares ISA for their child, while 25% have opened a Junior Cash ISA. This compares with 55% who have set up a standard bank account for their child.

The divide is even more pronounced when it comes to conversations about money. Nearly three quarters of parents (72%) say they have spoken to their children about saving, but fewer than a third (30%) have discussed investing. This means children are more than twice as likely to learn about. Even parents who are aware of cash limitations often opt for security - more than one in five (21%) say they prefer Cash Junior ISAs despite knowing they may underperform over the long term.

Even among parents who recognise the limitations of cash savings, caution still dominates decision-making. Of those that hold a cash junior ISAs, more than one in five (21%) say they are aware that cash Junior ISAs are likely to underperform over the long term but still prefer them because they feel more secure.

Investing confidence often starts with parents

Among parents who hold a Stocks and Shares ISA themselves, more than two thirds (68%) have also opened a Junior Stocks and Shares ISA for their child, highlighting how familiarity with investing influences whether children are introduced to it.

The results come as policymakers focus on improving household participation in UK capital markets. While debate centres on pensions, tax incentives, and investment products, the findings suggest Britain’s investing gap may begin at home, shaped by the financial attitudes children learn from their families.

Angeline Ong, Senior Investments Analyst at IG Group, said: “Saving is essential, but when conversations about money stop there, children grow up seeing investing as complicated or intimidating rather than a normal part of long-term financial planning. Making investing feel familiar from an early age is key to building household participation in UK markets.”

Mums lead early money lessons - but investing is less often part of the conversation

The research also shows differences in how financial lessons happen at home. Mothers are slightly more likely to lead day-to-day money discussions, particularly around budgeting and spending, but significantly less likely to discuss investing. Just 24% of mothers say they have talked to their children about investing compared with 37% of fathers. Mothers are also more likely to avoid financial risk entirely when saving for their child’s future.

Peanut, which connects millions of women across the UK and provides a platform for conversations around parenting, finance and family life, says the findings reflect wider discussions among mothers about financial confidence and responsibility.

Michelle Kennedy, Founder and CEO of Peanut, said: “Many mums are leading the day-to-day conversations about money in their households, from budgeting to pocket money, but investing is often something they haven’t always been given the same exposure or confidence around.

This research highlights a real opportunity. If we can help make investing feel more accessible and understandable for parents - particularly mothers - we can give families the confidence to talk about long-term wealth building alongside saving.”

To learn more about Stocks and Shares Junior ISAs and IG’s Junior ISA offering, please visit https://www.ig.com/uk/investments/junior-isa. 

- END -

Notes to editors

For any press enquiries, please contact:

IG PR: jack.crone@ig.com or press@ig.com

VCCP Roar

About the research

A total of 2,000 interviews were conducted via an online survey between 8 December and 17 December 2025. The average survey length was approximately 8 minutes.

The study targeted UK-based parents with at least one child under the age of 16. To ensure the sample was representative of this audience, quotas and profiling criteria were applied across key demographic variables, including age, gender, household income, relationship status, and number of children.

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

About IG Group

IG Group (LSEG:IGG) provides online trading platforms and educational resources to empower ambitious clients around the globe. Headquartered in the UK, IG Group is a FTSE 100 company that offers clients access to c.19,000 financial markets worldwide.

All trading involves risk. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change.

About Peanut

Peanut is the first online community to connect women throughout all stages of motherhood. Whether you're navigating menopause, motherhood, pregnancy or are trying to conceive, the app provides access to a community who are there to listen, share information and offer valuable advice. To learn more about Peanut's community, please visit: www.peanut-app.io. With recent accolades including Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies 2023, TIME100's Most Influential Companies of 2022 and Apple's Trend of the Year 2021, Peanut has become a coveted destination for women looking to connect, ask questions and find support.