ehh, the firstdirect 6% account is up to maximum of £3,600 per year, for one year. I put more than that into my 401k in 4 months! And intent to do it for decades. Not even "higher amounts", it's not in the same league. Tell me way to get this return on even $10,000 or $50k outside the stock market? Heck, a 0.1% market move I earn (or loose..) more than you can in a year with that account.