Happy birthday child trust funds

It has since issued 3.4m vouchers, for which almost a third of children qualify, according to child trust fund (CTF) provider The Children's Mutual. However, many parents have failed to give their children the leg-up, and at a time of increasing worry about the state of the economy. This week alone provider First Direct has decided to close its doors to new customers and Bank of England figures have shown a 13-year slump in lending. Data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shows recipients failed to invest 30% of vouchers issued at the end of 2006, which expired in the fourth quarter of...