the whole thing has become a joke. i have an isa maturing this week and they have offered me a transfer into a 1 year fixed rate isa at a paltry 1.5%. i can get 3.15% on a phone account with instant access (well 3-4 banking days to transfer the cash - also a huge geat joke in this electronic age !!) WITH THE SAME OUTFIT - birmingham midshires. given this scenario i am seriously considering having the cash out and playing the markets. I reckon i can do a lot better than 1.5% p.a. the only decent rates out there are on 5 year money - who wants to fix for 5 years when base rate is at an all time low ??

so much for the uk gov trying to encourage savers via isas !!!