Re: Witan Jump still a good choice for kids??

Generally, schemes like JUMP have lower minimum payments (I think). Investment trusts like Witan tend to have lower charges than unit trusts. Other ITs that can be designited for a child (I think probably all can) that I'd consider would be:

Law Debenture RIT Capital Partners Foreign & Colonial British Empire Securities Fleming Mercantile Alliance Monks

... and a few others. There is a wide range of choice ranging bearish/contrarian (like BES) to more adventurous (Henderson Electric & General). Most don't have special schemes but will typically accept minimum monthly payments around 25-50 pounds. If you think a certain region or sector is a good bet then investment trusts that specialize in those regions are also around (e.g., Fleming Indian, Fleming Chinese, TR Pacific, TR Property).

Thom

I should also add that Investment Trusts can carry extra risk associated with gearing or with the price being at a discount/premium to asset value. Avoid heavily geared trusts if you are risk averse. I personally also try to avoid ITs at a premium to assets (e.g., the technology ITs during the tech boom). Discounts are tricky, because buying at a large discount can be a good bargain, but may also reflect problems with the stock.

Thom

There is nothing wrong with Witan, but there are many other funds you could also consider. In general diversification is a good idea; a generalist fund like Witan is fairly broad anyway, but there could certainly be a case for investing in a number of funds as the total amount invested increases. As your children get older you could try interesting them in the question of where to invest, since it's their money in the end.

There is nothing particularly special except that the monthly contributions may be lower than other schemes. Witan is an investment trust rather than a unit trust and its annual charges are a lot lower than most unit trusts, but there are many other investment trust savings schemes you could use.

On a 15-20 year outlook you could certainly make a case that a China-oriented investment for part of the money could make sense, it's quite possible that by