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Media centre /
Press releaseERNIE VISITS OXFORDSHIRE WITH £1MILLION FOR MYSTERY WINNER01 October 2004
One lucky resident from Oxfordshire is £1 million richer today after ERNIE, the Premium Bond number generator, churned through billions of Premium Bond numbers, picking this month’s jackpot winning number. The winner, whose identity is being kept a secret, was told last night in person by Agent Million, the mystery person who pays a personal visit to the winner to give them the good news. This is Oxfordshire’s first £1 million Premium Bond jackpot winner since the top prize was introduced in 1994, and October’s winner becomes the 127th Premium Bond millionaire overall. This month’s winning jackpot number was purchased in January 2004, and the winner holds the maximum £30,000 in Premium Bonds. October is a special month for Premium Bond holders as the prize fund rate jumps from 2.80% to 3.20% per annum tax free, equivalent to 4.00% p.a. gross for a basic rate tax payer and 5.33% p.a. gross for a higher rate tax payer. This boosts the value of the prize fund by more than £4 million to £65 million and follows a change in Premium Bond legislation. Originally, the prize fund rate was due to go up to 3.00% p.a. on 1 October and then again to 3.20% p.a. on 1 December, but the revised legislation means National Savings & Investments no longer has to give three months notice when the prize fund is due to change and the rise can be brought forward. The odds of winning are 24,000 to 1 and, with average luck, an investor with 30,000 Premium Bonds can expect to win 15 tax-free prizes a year – more than one a month. The popularity of Premium Bonds has grown dramatically over the past five years as the amount invested has doubled to over £25 billion. Like all NS&I products, Premium Bonds offer investors 100% security, backed by HM Treasury, as well as the sense of fun that comes from winning tax free prizes. The number and value of prizes awarded in October 2004 are:
Since the first draw in 1957, ERNIE has given away over 110 million prizes worth over £7 billion. Prizes range from £50 to £1million. There is currently £23.6 million in unclaimed prizes. There is no time limit on claiming prizes. Premium Bond investors can check to see if they have won by logging on to www.nsandi.com and using the Premium Bond prize checker. ENDS Notes to Editors
Media team The numbers below are for media use only. Customers wishing to contact NS&I can find details here.
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