Cash Isas have failed to deliver over the past decade as low rates have left savings to be eaten away by inflation.
Savers who put £10,000 in the average tax-free cash Isa ten years ago would now have £9,772 - even after interest is added, new research shows.
This is because the rise in the cost of living has outstripped the interest earned on savings.
Isa losses: Savers who put £10,000 in the average tax-free cash Isa ten years ago would now have £9,772 - even after interest is added, new research shows
The research from investment service AJ Bell shows if you had put in the maximum £127,320 allowed into the average cash Isa since 2011, you would have £133,037 after interest.
Britain s biggest banks will pay savers as little as 38 pence interest on each £1,000 in their cash Isas this year.
Our analysis reveals it has been the worst year for cash Isas since their launch 21 years ago. Next year is set to be worse with some accounts expected to pay just 10 pence.
We have examined all the easy-access cash Isas offered by big banks and Nationwide to see what interest they will pay in 2020. Our research includes old accounts no longer on sale, but which were popular with savers.
Big banks will pay savers as little as 38 pence interest on each £1,000 in their cash Isas this year - the worst ever year for cash Isas since they launched 21 years ago