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Autumn Budget 2026
A year on from the 2025 Budget statement, much has been made of Rachel Reeves’ final foray with the red briefcase. The announcements saw further freezes to tax thresholds and changes to salary sacrifice for pensions. It followed a first Budget that raised employers’ national insurance contributions and which four in ten business owners in S&W’s BOSS (Business Owners Sentiment Survey) said worsened their prospects.
With unemployment still at a high 4.9%, a significant defence black hole in the budgets from previous regimes and a commitment not to raise income tax, Burnham and Healey will have their hands somewhat tied.
Our Autumn Budget 2026 hub provides you with in-depth commentary in the run-up to the Budget and following the statement. Check back as we update this page to bring you the latest news and analysis.
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The manifesto that continues to tie the Chancellor
The commitment to 2024’s promises may prevent the Autumn Budget from making the changes needed if the government wants to deliver on its priorities and get the country growing.
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Latest Budget predictions and speculation
All the latest reports on the changes we might see in the Autumn 2026 Budget.
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Death and taxes: The Autumn Budget and reform of inheritance tax
Recent inheritance tax revenue commentary from HMRC sheds light on who would be the biggest winners and losers from proposals for a flat 10% death duty. It’s a tax rise that would work for the wealthy.
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The Budget 2026: Where the Chancellor should look
We have a new Prime Minister and Chancellor, but they face some old problems at the Budget. Will they make the same mistakes?
Explore previous budget commentary
Access our coverage of the Autumn Budget 2025, including expert insight into the announcements, tax changes and business implications discussed at the time.
Frequently asked questions about the Budget
When is the Autumn Budget 2026?
The Chancellor John Healey has confirmed he will deliver his first Budget on Wednesday, 28 October.
What’s already been announced?
The new government has already announced several policies that may be included in the Budget or take place before it. Those include the removal of VAT from domestic electricity bills from October, a 20% cut in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues in England from April 2027, and a review of reliefs for “anti-social businesses”, such as vape shops.
What are the fiscal rules?
Andy Burnham has committed the government to upholding the fiscal rules:
- The stability rule, which is that the current Budget must be in surplus in 2029-30 and remain in balance or in surplus from the third year of the rolling forecast period
- The investment rule, that public sector net financial liabilities (debt) must be falling as a share of the economy by 2029-30 and then by the third year of the rolling forecast period
At the March Spring forecast, Reeves had over £20bn of headroom against her fiscal rules, but economic woes since then, particularly from the Iran crisis, mean this is likely to have shrunk.
How will the Budget affect me?
It is impossible to say yet where tax rises or reliefs may fall, but recent years have seen an increasing overall tax burden, and particular increases for both higher earners and businesses.
How long do budget speeches last?
Most changes in taxes take effect on either the date of royal assent or the beginning of the next tax year (1 April for corporation tax and 6 April for income tax). Some changes, however, take effect immediately, or even retrospectively in rare cases, to frustrate efforts to avoid their impact.
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