Least expensive FTSE trackers / best rates on ISAs

I have asked similar questions on here before, but unfortunately have been busy so have left all my cash in a low (close to zero) interest bank account (ouch). I will most likely be buying a house some time in the future (likely 4/5 years from now) so I need any cash I do save to do as well as it can do. On top of this I want to invest in the (very) long term.
 
I therefore think the following would be the best option for me (please advise otherwise, I am sure there are some knwoledgable people on this board who know lots about investments):
 
1) Use up my cash ISA allowence every year. I will not need the cash until I buy a house, so the fixed rate ones seem best (?) - about 3% at the moment for 2 years. Better ISAs out there (please let me know if there are!)?
 
2) For the long term I want to pound cast into a FTSE tracker, wrapped in my ISA. I was thinking £100 per month for the very long term (i.e. I will not touch at all). My question is regarding the "best" FTSE tracker out there currently. I have a quick look, and the likes of Halifax charge a 1% yearly fee - are there cheaper ones out there. Keeping in mind this is a very long term investment, the fees could amount to a lot of cash after many years of putting money in.
 
Any input regarding decent medium term investments also welcome (I have quite a bit saved up already, and I am saving quite a lot more than my cash ISA allowence each year, so I am looking to put this money to more use). I am not a wizz when it comes to investing, although I am trying to learn the basics at the moment. I am 21, so I am keen to get a low charging tracker fund underway for the long term (maybe as I become more knowledgable I will create my own portfolio, but for now I think a tracker fund is best).
 
Many thanks

Cheshire Cat


I have asked similar questions on here before, but unfortunately have been busy so have left all my cash in a low (close to zero) interest bank account (ouch). I will most likely be buying a house some time in the future (likely 4/5 years from now) so I need any cash I do save to do as well as it can do. On top of this I want to invest in the (very) long term.
 
I therefore think the following would be the best option for me (please advise otherwise, I am sure there are some knwoledgable people on this board who know lots about investments):
 
1) Use up my cash ISA allowence every year. I will not need the cash until I buy a house, so the fixed rate ones seem best (?) - about 3% at the moment for 2 years. Better ISAs out there (please let me know if there are!)?
 
2) For the long term I want to pound cast into a FTSE tracker, wrapped in my ISA. I was thinking £100 per month for the very long term (i.e. I will not touch at all). My question is regarding the "best" FTSE tracker out there currently. I have a quick look, and the likes of Halifax charge a 1% yearly fee - are there cheaper ones out there. Keeping in mind this is a very long term investment, the fees could amount to a lot of cash after many years of putting money in.
 
Any input regarding decent medium term investments also welcome (I have quite a bit saved up already, and I am saving quite a lot more than my cash ISA allowence each year, so I am looking to put this money to more use). I am not a wizz when it comes to investing, although I am trying to learn the basics at the moment. I am 21, so I am keen to get a low charging tracker fund underway for the long term (maybe as I become more knowledgable I will create my own portfolio, but for now I think a tracker fund is best).
 
Many thanks

1% for an index tracker!?!!?  Daylight robbery.  You can get one for 0.15% (Vanguard FSTE UK tracker).

Wow - that's cheap. I knew there were ones out there for <0.5% but didn't know any were that low. Thanks Wheels.