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I thought as much. Any recommendations for savings accounts? We've got a lump saved we could use to set up direct debits in to various accounts.
Cazakstan-
I think the best thing to do looks something like this:
£4k in a LISA for the £1k government bonus. Do this now and you can do it again after tax year ends (Apr. 5th) to turn £8k into £10k in 2 months. But you can't spend it for a year so this won't work if you want to buy in 6 mos, check the terms.
£2.5k in Nationwide FlexDirect for the 5% interest. I can refer you (and anyone else interested) for a free £100 each.
Any remainder in Cash ISAs/normal savings accounts/regular savers/etc. I've just opened a Ford Money flexible ISA at 1.27% (but flexible withdrawal) and a Coventry BS regular saver at 2.5%. Savings accounts are all pretty shite though. You actually lose money due to inflation.
Remember to keep some accessible in case you get sacked/need to repair car/etc.
Edit: you said you've got H2B ISAs so depending on how much is in them disregard the LISA bit. But I have both and just use the H2B as a restricted savings account as the interest rate is good at 3.5%. Be warned you can't pay into a H2B and Cash ISA in the same year.
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When are you looking to buy?
That should be your #1 question*.
Lots of people have 1yr lock in savings accounts, like 1st Direct @3% - turn it into a joint account and you can both have a savings account. NW as mentioned is good, TSB has a variable rate which isn't amazing anymore, but is better than nothing and has no lock-ins.
Basically you need to go through MSE and work out what combo of accounts you and your Mrs can open.
*TBH investment horizon should almost always be the 1st question to any investment decision).
frankenbike
hugo7
Don't put your deposit in S&S, too risky. You might decide to buy and then find your £30k deposit has suddenly halved in value. Unless you're not going to buy for years.
You're stuck with shitty old savings accounts like me