Quick Read
- Two bondholders from York and Shropshire won £1 million each in the November NS&I Premium Bonds draw.
- Winning bond numbers were purchased in February 2024 (York) and October 2015 (Shropshire).
- Both winners held the maximum £50,000 in Premium Bonds.
- The odds of a £1 bond winning a prize are 22,000 to one.
- Over 2.6 million prizes worth £108 million remain unclaimed from previous draws.
York and Shropshire Bondholders Strike Gold in November Premium Bonds Draw
For thousands across the UK, the first days of November bring a familiar thrill—the announcement of the National Savings & Investments (NS&I) Premium Bonds prize draw. This month, the headlines belong to two ordinary savers who have seen their lives changed overnight. The November draw delivered its £1 million jackpots to bondholders in York and Shropshire, turning routine saving into a moment of life-altering luck.
How the Winners Emerged: The Numbers Behind the Windfall
According to Examiner Live and reports from The Express, the first millionaire is a saver from York, whose winning bond number, 524KB804512, was purchased in February 2024. The second winner, from Shropshire, held bond number 258GE105589, bought back in October 2015. Both individuals held the maximum allowed in Premium Bonds—£50,000—demonstrating that while every eligible bond has an equal chance, holding more bonds does increase the odds of a life-changing win.
This month’s draw boasted a fund rate of 3.6%, and the odds of any single £1 bond winning a prize are 22,000 to one. NS&I, backed by the UK Treasury, offers these bonds not as a traditional interest-earning savings product, but as tickets in a monthly lottery where savers can invest between £25 and £50,000. Each bond gives holders a shot at prizes ranging from smaller sums to the headline £1 million.
Checking Your Premium Bonds: A Digital Era of Prize Alerts
With the November winners revealed, NS&I encourages all bondholders to check their own numbers. The process is designed for convenience. Through the NS&I website, users can enter their holder’s number to see if they’ve won. The prize checker app and even Alexa voice commands offer alternative routes for the tech-savvy or those seeking instant answers. All results for the November draw are officially available from November 4.
Importantly, these tools also help users uncover any unclaimed prizes from previous months. Statistics show that in October, over 2.6 million Premium Bonds prizes—worth a staggering £108.3 million—were still waiting to be claimed. For many, a forgotten bond or a missed notification could mean a pleasant surprise is just a few clicks away.
The Appeal and Odds: Why Premium Bonds Remain Popular
Premium Bonds have long held a unique place in British culture. Unlike fixed-rate savings accounts, they offer the allure of monthly excitement, the hope of a windfall, and the security of government backing. While the odds—22,000 to one per £1 bond—may seem steep, the scheme’s transparency and regular prize draws keep millions engaged. The recent winners from York and Shropshire are proof that, for some, persistence and patience can pay off spectacularly.
Financial advisers often remind savers that Premium Bonds aren’t the route for guaranteed returns. Instead, they’re best viewed as a safe, flexible way to save, with the added bonus of potential prizes. For those who prefer certainty, traditional savings products may be better suited. But for the millions who hold Premium Bonds, the monthly draw is an event marked on calendars—a moment when routine saving could suddenly turn into extraordinary fortune.
What Next for the Winners—and For You?
While the identities of the new millionaires remain confidential, their stories will echo across dinner tables and offices nationwide. For every bondholder, the lesson is clear: check your numbers, stay informed, and remember that luck sometimes finds its way into ordinary lives. The NS&I website provides the full list of high-value winners and makes the process of checking simple.
And if you’re holding onto Premium Bonds, whether bought decades ago or just last month, each draw is a new chance. With millions of pounds given away monthly, and thousands of prizes unclaimed, the excitement is real—and the possibilities, as ever, remain open.
The November NS&I Premium Bonds draw highlights the enduring appeal of saving with a twist of luck. The system’s transparency, government backing, and digital accessibility reinforce its popularity, but the true story lies in how ordinary savers—like those in York and Shropshire—can see their fortunes change in an instant. For most, Premium Bonds offer hope and security; for a lucky few, they deliver life-changing results.