Savers will be able to cash in on multiple Isas without a tax penalty under plans being considered by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt

Savers will be able to hold multiple Isas without a tax penalty, under reforms being considered by the Chancellor that could spark a savings war.

Currently, investors can only open and pay money into one of each type of Isa every tax year.

But ahead of the Autumn Statement on November 22, Treasury officials are reviewing plans to allow savers to open multiple accounts of the same type per tax year.

This could trigger a frenzied competition among cash Isa providers to offer better rates.

Savers could also make hundreds of extra pounds in tax-free interest by shopping around without the existing barriers.

At present, anyone who opens more than one type of cash Isa can be charged tax on interest they earn and will have their second account shutdown. This means they risk missing out on unused tax allowances.

The Treasury and HMRC have held a series of discussions with industry experts over the past six months to consult on major Isa reforms, insiders have told the Mail. The Treasury presented a ‘menu’ of changes during its last meeting two weeks ago that could be unveiled later this month.

Among the mooted reforms were plans to merge cash Isas with stocks and shares Isas, rename stocks and shares Isas to ‘investment Isas’ and rebrand Innovative Finance Isas.

Treasury ministers are said to be considering new tax incentives for savers who invest in British stocks.

However, the Chancellor is not expected to increase the £20,000 annual allowance or make changes to the lifetime Isa. Campaigners have been calling for the exit penalty to be scrapped, and for the £450,000 property limit to be increased.

Tom Selby, of Isa provider AJ Bell, said the new rule would enable savers to test multiple stockbrokers before making their choice.

‘It’s nonsensical that people can only pay into one of each type of Isa.. There’s no need for that rule to be in place,’ he says.

‘It would make it possible for someone who isn’t sure which investment platform they want to use to road test it in the same year.’

Savers could also make hundreds of extra pounds in tax-free interest by shopping around without the existing barriers

This could spark interest rate competition between providers, Mr Selby added.

Sarah Coles, of stockbroker Hargreaves Lansdown, said that allowing savers to open more than one of each type of Isa would protect many who inadvertently fall foul of the rules.

She said: ‘People fall into this by accident because it is a little known rule and it can cause real problems when they find they have to pay tax.

‘This would make it much easier to open, subscribe and transfer Isas, and remove a layer of needless complexity.’

Alice Guy of Interactive Investor warned that Isas were at risk of becoming overly complex and difficult for DIY investors to navigate.

She said: ‘Policymakers need to ensure Isas do not mirror the complexity that the UK’s pension system has accumulated over time.’