Gilts and bonds are essentially loans made to governments and companies which will be paid back to you at some point and earn some interest in the meantime.

They’re not as flashy as stocks and shares but they’re a solid part of an investment portfolio and they have interesting political implications.

Here I talk you through what they are, the common terminology, how they’re taxed and how you as a retail investor can access them. All in down to earth, understandable language.