HMRC urges UK taxpayers to claim unclaimed Child Trust Funds and work‑from‑home tax relief

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has warned that people with children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 may have a Child Trust Fund (CTF) worth an average of £2,200 still unclaimed. Over 750,000 young adults could be missing the government‑seeded savings, which were created with an initial £250 contribution per child. Holders can locate their CTF provider using the online tool on GOV.UK, providing a National Insurance number and date of birth. HMRC stresses that the service is free and warns against third‑party agents who charge fees of up to £350.

Separately, HMRC says remote workers who were required to work from home – not by choice – can claim tax relief for up to four tax years. The flat‑rate claim is £6 per week (£1.20 after basic‑rate tax), applied through an individual’s Self‑Assessment tax return. Eligibility requires proof that the employer mandated home working, such as an office closure or an unreasonable commute distance. Claims are processed via HMRC’s online portal and affect the taxpayer’s tax code rather than being paid directly.