Brits given code by HMRC for £2,240 cash – 750,000 missing out

HMRC says about 827,000 young adults have not claimed their matured Child Trust Funds, which held an average of £2,310 each in April 2026. The Government-backed accounts were created for eligible children, and the money belongs to the young person once they turn 18.

Accounts were opened for children born between September 2002 and January 2011, with an initial Government contribution of £250 or £500 and some receiving a further payment at age seven. Young people can use a free GOV.UK service to find their account, using their National Insurance number and date of birth; HMRC says the request takes around five minutes and most replies arrive within three weeks.