Gilt Trip – A Beginner’s Guide to UK Government Bonds

Gilts might sound a bit old-fashioned – and in fairness, the name does come from a time when bonds were printed on paper with gold trim – but while the gold’s long gone, gilts remain one of the most important building blocks in the UK financial system.

In this article, we’ll walk through what gilts are, how they differ from corporate bonds, why there’s a whole assortment of them knocking about, and how they make their way into the hands of investors. We’ll also look at who’s buying and selling gilts, how they’re issued – and why, after all these years, they still matter.