Looking to make a passive income? I’d buy these 2 cheap UK dividend shares in an ISA today

These two UK shares could offer increasing dividends that can help you make a passive income. I think they could be worth buying in an ISA today.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

dividend scrabble piece spelling

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

sdf

The passive income potential of UK dividend shares continues to be relatively high, even after the stock market crash. Many FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 shares offer impressive yields that could provide you with a growing income return.

With that in mind, here are two British shares that offer generous yields and the prospect of growing dividends. Buying them in a tax-efficient account, such as a Stocks and Shares ISA, could allow you to enjoy a rising income in the long run.

Improving passive income prospects

BAE Systems (LSE: BA) offers a relatively attractive passive income for investors. The aerospace and defence company’s half-year results were relatively positive. This allowed it to resume dividend payments after pausing them during the earlier part of 2020 in response to a rapidly-changing operating outlook.

Should you invest £1,000 in Cranswick right now?

When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Cranswick made the list?

See the 6 stocks

The company currently has a yield of around 5%. Its dividend payouts are expected to be covered almost twice in the next financial year. This suggests its passive income is affordable and may be more robust than the payouts of some of its FTSE 100 index peers.

Looking ahead, BAE faces an uncertain set of operating conditions due to a challenging global economic outlook. However, its recent half-year results showed it has been able to deliver a resilient performance. As such, it therefore remains optimistic about delivering long-term growth.

The stock appears to offer good value for money. It currently trades on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 11.6. This suggests it can deliver capital growth alongside its passive income prospects. So now could be the right time to buy it within a diverse portfolio of UK shares.

A robust FTSE 100 investment opportunity

Severn Trent (LSE: SVT) also offers a relatively attractive passive income outlook. The utility company currently yields 4.1%, and is set to grow dividends per share by at least as much as inflation over the coming years.

This could make the stock an attractive option for income-seeking investors, as a loose monetary policy may encourage higher inflation over the medium term.

The company’s resilient financial performance despite a weak economic outlook may also make it a worthwhile defensive option for many investors. This could increase demand for its shares at a time when the economic outlook is uncertain. And that may have a positive impact on their price level.

Clearly, Severn Trent’s profit growth is unlikely to keep pace with many UK shares during the likely long-term economic recovery. Therefore, its capital returns may be more limited than those available elsewhere in the FTSE 100.

However, it could be a worthwhile investment for those seeking a relatively reliable passive income that grows in line with inflation. As such, now could be the right time to buy it in an ISA while it continues to offer a generous yield.


Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Peter Stephens owns shares of BAE Systems. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

These ‘boring’ FTSE 100 dividend stocks just hit 52-week highs!

Who needs to be part of the AI-frenzy when certain dividend stocks are making an absolute packet for more conservative…

Read more »

Businesswoman calculating finances in an office
Investing Articles

This FTSE 100 stock is forecast to beat Rolls-Royce in the coming year — and it’s only £1!

Rolls-Royce has been the FTSE 100 star of 2025, but analysts think this £1 homebuilder could deliver over three times…

Read more »

Mature black woman at home texting on her cell phone while sitting on the couch
Growth Shares

Down 86% over five years, this FTSE stock could be nearing the bottom

Jon Smith points out a FTSE share that has been beaten up in recent years but could start to show…

Read more »

The flag of the United States of America flying in front of the Capitol building
Investing Articles

This is nuts. When’s the stock-market crash?

Share prices keep hitting record highs in 2025. The bad news for investors is that asset prices look inflated, which…

Read more »

Santa Clara offices of NVIDIA
Investing Articles

AI wars: is the Nvidia share price under threat from rival AMD?

Up 56% in a year, the Nvidia share price looks unstoppable. But a new AI chip from rival AMD threatens…

Read more »

Black woman using smartphone at home, watching stock charts.
Investing Articles

As Aviva releases another hot update, have I left it too late to buy more shares?

Aviva's operating profit surged 22% in the first half, driving its shares to fresh multi-year highs. So is it too…

Read more »

Burst your bubble thumbtack and balloon background
Investing Articles

Are Nvidia shares going to crash?

Nvidia shares’ meteoric rise has a few hints of a bubble in the making. So are shares in the chipmaker…

Read more »

Young mixed-race woman jumping for joy in a park with confetti falling around her
Investing For Beginners

How much longer can the FTSE 100 keep outperforming the S&P 500?

The FTSE 100 is, to the surprise of many, handily outperforming its American counterpart. How much longer can the Footsie…

Read more »