Select Committee · Treasury Committee

Lifetime ISA

Status: Closed Opened: 6 Jan 2025 Closed: 11 Sep 2025 6 recommendations 9 conclusions 1 report

The Treasury Committee is inquiring into whether the Lifetime Individual Savings Account (LISA) is still an appropriate financial product nine years after it was created. Read the call for evidence to find out more about this inquiry.

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
8th Report - Lifetime Individual Savings Account HC 607 30 Jun 2025 15 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

6 items
4 Conclusion 8th Report - Lifetime Individual Saving… Accepted

Balance reducing the Lifetime ISA withdrawal charge against government spending impact, retaining deterrent.

Many people have lost a portion of their savings due to a lack of understanding of the withdrawal charge or because of unforeseen changes in their circumstances, such as buying a first home at a price greater than the cap. However, the case for reducing the charge must be balanced … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government committed to considering the recommendation in future policy development and specifically to working with industry and other government departments to improve messaging about the implications of savings and investments for Universal Credit entitlement.
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HM Treasury
5 Recommendation 8th Report - Lifetime Individual Saving… Accepted

Analyse Lifetime ISA effectiveness to support first-time buyers before increasing the house price cap.

The house price cap for the Lifetime ISA ensures that Government spending supports those who need financial assistance the most. Any increase in the price cap is an increase in Government spending. Before considering any increase in the house price cap, the Government must analyse whether the Lifetime ISA is … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government defends the current Lifetime ISA property price cap as well-targeted for first-time buyers and states that its comprehensive data collection and research continuously inform policy decisions, thereby inherently analysing effectiveness.
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HM Treasury
6 Conclusion 8th Report - Lifetime Individual Saving… Accepted

Insufficient data and time hinder assessment of Lifetime ISA suitability for retirement saving.

It is difficult for the Committee, the Treasury and the FCA to determine how the Lifetime ISA is being used for retirement saving across the eligible population without additional data. The Lifetime ISA may not have been in existence for sufficient time to support firm conclusions on its suitability as … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states it already collects comprehensive data on LISAs, including published statistics and qualitative research, and has shared further data with the committee, which informs policy decisions and continuous review of the Lifetime ISA.
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HM Treasury
10 Recommendation 8th Report - Lifetime Individual Saving… Accepted

Consider if Lifetime ISA spending effectively achieves government policy objectives.

Given the scale of demand on the public finances, the Government must carefully consider whether significant spending on the Lifetime ISA is the best way of achieving its policy objectives. (Conclusion, Paragraph 92)

Government response AI summary
The government defends the Lifetime ISA's role in encouraging saving and supporting first-time buyers, citing its impact, and states that existing data collection and research continuously inform policy decisions and that the policy is under review.
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HM Treasury
11 Conclusion 8th Report - Lifetime Individual Saving… Accepted

Lifetime ISA target market data remains mixed, raising concerns about spending effectiveness.

Data concerning Lifetime ISA use by its target market is mixed and inconclusive. We are concerned that Lifetime ISA bonuses may involve significant spending of taxpayers’ money in a way that may not be precisely targeted. Without better quality data on Lifetime ISA holders, it is difficult to estimate the … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states it already collects comprehensive data on LISAs, including published statistics and qualitative research, and has shared further data with the committee, which informs policy decisions and continuous review of the Lifetime ISA.
Read full response →
HM Treasury
12 Recommendation 8th Report - Lifetime Individual Saving… Accepted

Use income distribution impact assessments to evaluate Lifetime ISA's effectiveness for those needing financial support.

The Treasury must use income distribution impact assessments to assess whether the Lifetime ISA effectively targets people who need financial support. If the Lifetime ISA does not achieve that objective, the Treasury should consider whether the LISA has a future in its present form. (Conclusion, Paragraph 97) Additional criticisms Read more

Government response AI summary
The government asserts that the Lifetime ISA is well-targeted by design, referencing the property price cap and withdrawal charge, and states that its comprehensive data collection and qualitative research already inform policy decisions regarding its effectiveness.
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HM Treasury

Oral evidence sessions

2 sessions
Date Witnesses
23 Apr 2025 Emma Reynolds MP · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Laura Webster · HM Treasury View ↗
26 Feb 2025 Anne Fairweather, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Hargreaves Lansdown, Brian Byrnes, Head of Personal Finance at Moneybox, Charlotte Harrison, Chief Executive of Home Financing at Skipton Building Society, Funmi Olufunwa, Finance Expert and Founder of Hoops Finance, Martin Lewis, Founder and Executive Chair of Money Saving Expert, Michael Johnson, Research Fellow, Richard Stone, Chief Executive at the Association of Investment Companies View ↗

Who gave evidence

9 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Anne Fairweather, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Hargreaves Lansdown 1
Brian Byrnes, Head of Personal Finance at Moneybox 1
Charlotte Harrison, Chief Executive of Home Financing at Skipton Building Society 1
Emma Reynolds MP · Secretary of State Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs 1
Funmi Olufunwa, Finance Expert and Founder of Hoops Finance 1
Laura Webster · Director of Personal Tax, Welfare and Pensions HM Treasury 1
Martin Lewis, Founder and Executive Chair of Money Saving Expert 1
Michael Johnson, Research Fellow 1
Richard Stone, Chief Executive at the Association of Investment Companies 1

Correspondence

10 letters
DateDirectionTitle
6 May 2025 Correspondence from HMRC on quantitative and qualitative research on Lifetime I…
22 Apr 2025 Correspondence from Skipton Building Society regarding Lifetime ISA data reques…
22 Apr 2025 Correspondence from the Chair to Skipton Building Society regarding Lifetime IS…
22 Apr 2025 Correspondence from Hargreaves Lansdown regarding Lifetime ISA data request, da…
22 Apr 2025 Correspondence from the Chair to Hargreaves Lansdown regarding Lifetime ISA dat…
22 Apr 2025 Correspondence from Moneybox regarding Lifetime ISA data request, dated 9 April…
22 Apr 2025 Correspondence from Moneybox regarding Lifetime ISA data request, dated 21 Marc…
22 Apr 2025 Correspondence from the Chair to Moneybox regarding Lifetime ISA data request, …
22 Apr 2025 Correspondence from HM Revenue and Customs regarding Lifetime ISA data request,…
22 Apr 2025 Correspondence from the Chair to HM Revenue and Customs regarding Lifetime ISA …

Meetings & visits

1 item
DateTypeDetail
6 May 2025 Formal meeting (private meeting) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House