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Lifetime ISA Penalties Jump to £102 Million as More Savers Fall Foul of Rules

Fresh FOI data has sharpened calls to overhaul Lifetime ISA rules viewed as punitive and outdated.

Overview

  • Official HMRC figures show withdrawal penalties totalled £102 million in 2024–25, up from £75 million the year before.
  • A total of 129,200 savers were charged last year, with the average penalty coming to £789.75.
  • The 25 largest charges averaged about £13,500, pointing to bigger LISA balances and more costly transactions.
  • A 25% exit charge applies outside limited exemptions, and a frozen £450,000 property cap has disqualified some first‑home uses.
  • There are roughly 1.6 million active accounts and about 87,000 property purchases used LISA funds last year, as MPs and industry voices urge clearer messaging or structural reform.