Autumn Budget 2026 confirmed

The Budget is on Wednesday 28 October, and it is the first one set out by John Healey, who became Chancellor in July. Three things are already announced and are not in doubt. VAT came off domestic electricity on 1 October. The £2 bus fare cap is back. And from April 2027 pubs, clubs and live music venues get a 20% cut in their business rates, with wider business rates reform promised on the day. The government has also said it will not raise the rates of income tax, VAT or National Insurance, which was a 2024 manifesto commitment for the whole Parliament — though thresholds and allowances are a separate question from rates, and those are not covered by that promise. Several April 2027 changes are already law rather than Budget decisions, so they stand unless the Budget moves them: the cash ISA limit falls to £12,000 for under-65s while over-65s keep £20,000, savings and property income get their own rates of 22%, 42% and 47%, and unused pension pots start counting towards inheritance tax. The main figure the Budget settles for most people is next April’s state pension rise under the triple lock, which is confirmed on the day. We will check every figure on this page against the Budget documents on 28 October and mark what changed.

Tax rises in the autumn Budget have not been ruled out, and forecasters think the Chancellor has very little room to move. Nothing is real until 28 October — but every measure that actually lands will get a calculator here on the day.