Assessing the investment opportunity of UK savers
15 minute read
Research and commentary

Assessing the investment opportunity of UK savers

UK households hold an estimated £218 billion in cash above their emergency savings needs. This research explores the scale of that opportunity, the factors keeping savers out of the market, and the actions that could help more people invest with confidence and improve their long-term financial outcomes.

  • Around 30% of working‑age UK adults hold cash above emergency savings needs, corresponding to an investment opportunity of over £200bn. Over half of these individuals do not invest, while the remainder who do invest hold most of their investible assets in cash. 

  • Median surplus cash balances exceed one year of essential living expenses, though holdings vary materially across income, age, and household characteristics. 

  • Surplus cash holdings are not driven by financial fragility. Most individuals report adequate financial buffers and the ability to meet unexpected expenses. Instead, behavioural factors -such as attitude towards investment risk- play an important role. 

Assessing the investment opportunity of UK savers

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