Savers have to act quickly to pick up the top deals of 3 per cent before tax (2.4 per cent after tax) or more on easy access accounts.

They can be on sale for just a few weeks – and in some cases a matter of days – before they close their doors to new business.

ING Direct has cut the rate it pays to new savers on its Savings Account to 2.9 per cent before tax (2.32 per cent after tax), down from 3.1 per cent (2.48 per cent). The rate is fixed for the first twelve months you are in the account. After that it drops to just 0.5 per cent (0.4 per cent).

Mansfield Building Society has closed its Postal Premium 4 3rd Issue, which paid a top 3.2 per cent (2.56 per cent), and replaced it with Issue 4 at a lower 2.85 per cent (2.28 per cent) including a 0.85 per cent (0.68 per cent) bonus for a year. You are limited to making four free withdrawals a year. If you make any more than you lose 30 days’ interest on the amount you withdraw.

Santander has closed its Instant Access Saver Issue 3 which paid 2.5 per cent (2 per cent) for the first year, on sale through its branches. But savers in older versions of this account earn a much lower 1 per cent (0.8 per cent).

Top rates on internet-based accounts come from Nationwide with its MySave Online Plus at 3.12 per cent (2.5 per cent) including a 1.58 per cent (1.26 per cent) bonus for a year. But you are restricted to making just one free withdrawal a year.

Santander e-Saver Issue 4 pays 3.1 per cent (2.48 per cent) including a 2.6 per cent (2.08 per cent) bonus for the first year while with the Skipton Building Society Online Bonus Saver you earn 3.05 per cent (2.44 per cent) including a 1.55 per cent (1.24 per cent) bonus paid for one year. There are no withdrawal restrictions on the either the Santander or Skipton account.

On fixed rate deals, BM Savings has cut the rate on its two-year fixed rate cash Isa for new savers. They earn 3.6 per cent tax free for two years.