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National Savings and Investment

26 March 2026

Proposing MP
Swansea West
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Treasury

At a Glance

Issue Summary

NS&I failed to trace all accounts for deceased customers, resulting in unclaimed savings not reaching beneficiaries.

Action Requested

NS&I has engaged external advisers to identify affected customers, hired additional staff to reunite funds with owners, and appointed Sir Jim Harra as interim CEO to review the tracing issue and set out future lessons. A delivery plan will be published in May.

Key Facts

  • NS&I failed to trace up to around 37,000 customer accounts, with up to £476m in deposits affected.
  • EY and Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer are involved as external advisers.
  • NS&I hired an additional 100 staff for the programme team.
  • A delivery plan will be published by May detailing how funds will be reunited.
  • Sir Jim Harra, former HMRC First Permanent Secretary, has been appointed interim CEO.
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy