Both lump sum and regular contributions to the funds have risen, despite the difficult economic conditions.
Parents are putting more and more money into Child Trust Funds (CTFs), a report showed today.
According to figures from the Tax Incentivised Savings Association (TISA), typical monthly contributions to the funds reached £518 in March. Three months before, this total stood at just £471.
Meanwhile, irregular lump sums put into CTFs hit £105.4 million, an increase of £13 million over the three-month period. The number of funds being added to each month via Direct Debit also rose by 17,000 to 588,500.
CTFs, introduced in 2005, work through parents of a newborn child being given a voucher, which they can then invest with a financial services firm. Fund managers at the company then look after the investment - which can also be added to with regular or lump sum cash payments from the child's family and can only be accessed when the child reaches adulthood.
The increases come despite the UK's economy continuing to worsen. Figures from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, released last week, suggested that total national output fell by 1.5 percent over January-March, as unemployment rose, house prices fell, credit conditions remained tight and consumers held off on big-money purchases.
TISA director-general, Tony Vine-Lott, commented: "Our survey confirms that the CTF success story is continuing into 2009. However, to set record levels for contributions in all of our key statistics given the current economic climate is unexpected. It is a testament to parents' desire to give their children the best possible financial start when they reach age 18."
