Central Bedfordshire resident scoops the Premium Bond Jackpot.

A Premium Bond holder from Central Bedfordshire has started February £1 million richer after winning one of the top prizes in the latest NS&I draw.

National Savings and Investments has confirmed there were two £1 million jackpot winners in the February Premium Bonds draw. One of those winners is from Central Bedfordshire, making them only the second person from the area ever to scoop the top prize.

The winning bond number was 489TB013219, which was purchased in February 2022. The bond holder has the maximum £50,000 invested in Premium Bonds. The second £1 million jackpot this month went to a saver from Liverpool.

Premium Bonds jackpot winners are announced on the first working day of each month, and anyone who wins the top prize is contacted directly by NS&I. Other prize winners, ranging from £25 to £100,000, can check their results using the Premium Bonds prize checker app or via the NS&I website from the day after the draw.

NS&I says many prizes still go unclaimed. Across the UK, there are currently 2,713,707 unclaimed Premium Bonds prizes, worth a combined £114,769,950. In Central Bedfordshire, there are around 10,400 unclaimed prizes with a total value of £433,225, some dating back to February 1968. The largest unclaimed prize in the area is £10,000, won in the January 2024 draw by a bond holder who had invested just £100.

Andrew Westhead, NS&I Retail Director, said:

“Congratulations to our two jackpot winners from Central Bedfordshire and Liverpool, who each start February £1 million richer. ERNIE has spread the love ahead of Valentine’s Day and we hope this brings both winners and their loved ones plenty to celebrate.”

Premium Bonds currently have an annual prize fund rate of 3.60%, which is variable. The odds of winning are 22,000 to 1 for every £1 bond in each monthly draw. Any prizes won are free from UK Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax. Savers can invest a minimum of £25, up to a maximum of £50,000, although NS&I notes that falling prize rates mean some savers may find better returns elsewhere.