A petition is calling to merge child trust funds (CTFs) and junior individual savings accounts (Jisas). The move would allow holders of existing CTFs – which pay lowly interest rates – to take advantage of the more competitive Jisas. 

An estimated five million children will be ineligible to open a Jisa because they were born between 2002 and 2011, when CTFs were the savings product of choice for children due to their tax-efficient status.

The e-petition says these children are being 'subjected to a form of discrimination, which affects their human rights', because they will be the only British citizens not allowed to open an Isa.

The petition adds that CTFs have a poor track record and are likely to fare even worse in the future given that they are now closed to new business. To put this into context, Nationwide's newly launched cash Jisa pays 3 per cent interest compared to its cash CTF, which pays 1.10 per cent.

The petition argues that this 'gives negative messages about saving to the millions of parents and grandparents who, in many cases, will have struggled to put this money aside for a child's future'.

Allowing CTF-holders access to Jisas is the best way to keep things simple, argues Andrew Hagger, spokesperson for comparison service Moneynet. 'You would have thought the government would have allowed access to Jisas to all from the start – just so that everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet,' he says.

Confused about Jisas? We take you through the basics in our low-down here.

This was written for our sister website, Moneywise