The Junior ISA allowance is £9,000 per child for the 2026/27 tax year and stays at that level until April 2031. Top cash Junior ISA rates run near 3.7 to 3.85 per cent AER from NS&I and Leek Building Society, while stocks and shares Junior ISAs are offered by Hargreaves Lansdown, Vanguard, AJ Bell and others. A child can hold one of each type.
TL;DR · LAST REVIEWED 30 AUGUST 2026
- The Junior ISA allowance is £9,000 per child for 2026/27, fixed until April 2031.
- Top cash Junior ISA rates run near 3.7 to 3.85 per cent AER (NS&I, Leek Building Society).
- A child can hold one cash and one stocks and shares Junior ISA at a time.
Junior ISA providers by type, 2026
| Provider | Type | Rate or note |
| NS&I | Cash Junior ISA | around 3.7 to 3.85 per cent AER |
| Leek Building Society | Cash Junior ISA | among the highest cash rates |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | Stocks and shares | no platform or trading fee on Junior ISAs |
| Vanguard | Stocks and shares | low cost index funds |
| AJ Bell | Stocks and shares | wide investment range |
| Wealthify | Stocks and shares | ready made managed portfolios |
| Moneybox | Cash and stocks and shares | app based |
| IG | Stocks and shares | uninvested cash earns 3.75 per cent AER |
Source: Provider published information and Moneyfacts, 2026
KEY FACTS
- The Junior ISA allowance is £9,000 per child for 2026/27 (GOV.UK).
- The allowance stays at £9,000 until April 2031 (Which analysis of GOV.UK figures).
- Top cash Junior ISA rates run near 3.7 to 3.85 per cent AER (NS&I, Leek Building Society).
- A child can hold one cash and one stocks and shares Junior ISA at a time.
- The money is locked until the child turns 18, when it becomes theirs.
Junior ISA rules
| Item | Detail | Note |
| Allowance 2026/27 | £9,000 per child | Fixed until April 2031 |
| Accounts per child | One cash and one stocks and shares | Held at the same time |
| Access | At age 18 | Converts to an adult ISA |
| Multiple same type rule | Does not apply to Junior ISAs | Unlike adult ISAs since 2024 |
Source: GOV.UK, 2026
Cash versus stocks and shares
A Junior ISA comes in two forms and a child can hold one of each. A cash Junior ISA works like a tax free savings account, with capital protected and top rates near 3.7 to 3.85 per cent AER from NS&I and Leek Building Society. A stocks and shares Junior ISA invests the money, so the value can rise and fall, but over the long horizon to age 18 it has historically produced stronger returns than cash. Providers such as Hargreaves Lansdown, Vanguard and AJ Bell lead on investment choice and cost, with fees the main drag on long term returns.
The allowance and the rules
The allowance is £9,000 per child for the 2026/27 tax year and stays there until April 2031. It is separate from the adult £20,000 allowance and cannot be carried forward if unused. A parent or guardian must open the account for a child under 16, after which the child can manage it, and anyone can contribute within the allowance. The multiple same type ISA rule introduced in 2024 does not apply to Junior ISAs, so only one cash and one stocks and shares account can be held.
Access and tax
The money is locked until the child turns 18, when the account becomes an adult ISA and the child gains control. All interest and investment growth inside a Junior ISA is free of income tax and capital gains tax, and it does not use the child's future adult allowance when it converts. The wrapper also removes the rule that taxes a parent on interest above £100 from money given to a child, so a parent can contribute the full allowance without tax consequences.
DISCLAIMER
This article is editorial information, not financial advice. Kael Tripton Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Figures were correct at the last review date shown above; verify current rates and rules with the primary sources listed below before acting.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Junior ISA allowance for 2026/27
The Junior ISA allowance is £9,000 per child, separate from the adult allowance, and it stays at that level until April 2031.
What are the best cash Junior ISA rates
Top cash Junior ISA rates run near 3.7 to 3.85 per cent AER, with NS&I and Leek Building Society leading the table in mid 2026.
Can a child have more than one Junior ISA
A child can hold one cash and one stocks and shares Junior ISA at a time. The multiple same type rule from 2024 does not apply to Junior ISAs.
When can the money be accessed
The money is locked until the child turns 18, at which point the account becomes an adult ISA and the money is legally theirs.
Is a cash or stocks and shares Junior ISA better
Cash protects the balance; stocks and shares carries risk but has historically produced stronger returns over the long horizon to age 18. Fees are the main controllable drag on investment returns.
SOURCES
- GOV.UK: Junior Individual Savings Accounts - accessed 30 August 2026
- Moneyfacts Junior ISA rates - accessed 30 August 2026
Update 12 October 2026: Junior ISA rules on GOV.UK GOV.UK states that the Junior ISA savings limit is 9,000 pounds for the 2026 to 2027 tax year. According to GOV.UK, parents or guardians with parental responsibility can open a Junior ISA, and the money belongs to the child. GOV.UK says the child must be under 18 and living in the UK, unless a parent is a Crown servant, for example in the armed forces or diplomatic service, and the child depends on that parent for care. GOV.UK says there are two types, a cash Junior ISA and a stocks and shares Junior ISA, and a child can have one or both types. GOV.UK states that the child can take control of the account at 16 but cannot withdraw the money until they turn 18. GOV.UK says a child cannot have both a Junior ISA and a Child Trust Fund, and a Child Trust Fund can be transferred into a Junior ISA. GOV.UK adds that the adult ISA limit for 2026 to 2027 is 20,000 pounds, separate from the Junior ISA limit. |
