The UK Government introduced the Innovative Finance ISA on 6th April 2016. The “IFISA” allows individuals to use some (or all) of their annual ISA investment allowance to lend funds through the growing Peer-to-Peer lending market, whilst receiving tax-free interest and capital gains.
A simple platform which is regulated by the FCA. Ratesetter is one of the largest peer to peer lenders and has been around since 2010.
Risky?
Of course it is. The industry is young and although risk is mitigated by a Provision Fund, your money is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). However if you stay in cash, you are effectively losing an average of 2%-3% of your buying power per year.
That is not risk, its a guarantee.
DO YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE
I did not share any links (other then the above) on purpose, check independently and then check again.