Starting out - where to put £2.5k?

Albermarle

brad_drum said:

...And just for info, I'm probably leaning towards stocks and shares ISA (I think).

Well that makes sense. If you hold investments outside a S&S ISA ( or pension) you can be liable for tax and you have to keep records. So keeping investments within a S&S ISA is normally much simpler. The only problem is the £20K limit of how much you can add in a tax year to any ISA's in total.
The post above gives some good links and this is not a bad article either.
How to invest in a stocks and shares Isa: The quick and easy guide | This is Money

mebu60

2(b) above in S&S ISA.
2(a) above in S&S ISA.
3 above. 

brad_drum

Specific question - what's your views on ISA/ETF investment through InvestEngine (managed) vs a Virgin Money S&S ISA?

Eyeful

brad_drum said:

Specific question - what's your views on ISA/ETF investment through InvestEngine (managed) vs a Virgin Money S&S ISA?

Answer: Have no view as have never used either of them..

1. Nothing to do with investing comes "FREE" someone has to pay the bills and the business are going to make sure its not going to be them but you. 

2. If the charges are low they will make sure they are are easy to find. If the charges are not low they will make them difficult to find.

3. The following may be of interest & help to you:
https://moneytothemasses.com/saving-for-your-future/investing/the-best-stocks-and-shares-investment-isa-the-cheapest-fund-platform

Eyeful

This may also be of interest to you the T- Rex Score:
https://larrybates.ca/t-rex-score/