Moneysupermarket.com says savers are being spoiled for ISA offerings with Barclays and Abbey’s new accounts offering 6.5% and 6.25% respectively.

Kevin Mountford, head of savings at price comparison site moneysupermarket.com, said: “The race for customers is hotting up as we head towards the end of the tax year. Alliance & Leicester already has a 6.25% direct ISA, and Abbey and Barclays are the latest providers to match or better this rate.

“This is impressive given there is still over a month to go until the tax year ends. Normally providers keep their ISA cards close to their chest and play their ace much later, so there could be even more impressive rates offered over the next couple of weeks.”

Moneysupermarket.com says that on rate alone, Barclays is the clear leader with its 6.5% tax haven ISA but, as ever, savers need to look at the whole package. For savers with previous sums to transfer, the price comparison site advises they will be better off with the direct ISAs from Alliance & Leicester (A&L) or Abbey at 6.25%. The Barclays ISA doesn’t allow transfers in, and many savers get caught out by these type of things if they ignore the terms and conditions.

Mountford added: “There are a couple of deals paying 10% – Abbey’s super ISA and A&L’s premier direct ISA  – but these are only accessible under certain terms. With A&L, only savers that open its Premier current account can access the ISA. Abbey’s super ISA insists savers deposit at least £1,500 in its Guaranteed Growth Plan. Again, this shows the need for savers to check what they are signing up for as things aren’t always what they seem.”