What's actually confirmed

• The Budget will be delivered on Wednesday 28 October 2026 by Chancellor John Healey, who took over from Rachel Reeves in July 2026.
• This is the first Budget under Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government, and Healey's first as Chancellor.
• The Office for Budget Responsibility publishes its updated economic and fiscal forecast the same day — growth, inflation, borrowing, debt and revenue projections.
• Several measures have already been announced outside the Budget process: VAT removed from domestic electricity bills from 1 October 2026, a £2 cap on single bus fares in England from 1 January 2027, and a 20% business rates cut for pubs, social clubs and live music venues in England from April 2027.

Why this Budget matters for personal finances

Last year's Budget announced several changes with direct personal-finance consequences: higher dividend tax from April 2026 (already in force), a £12,000 Cash ISA limit for under-65s from April 2027, and higher savings-income tax rates from April 2027. Savings rates will rise to 22%/42%/47% UK-wide. Separate property-income rates of 22%/42%/47% are also due from April 2027 under the announced framework, currently applying in England, Wales and Northern Ireland — the government is engaging with the devolved administrations on the relevant powers, so this isn't yet identical treatment across the whole UK. For people with savings, investments, rental property or pensions, 28 October is therefore an important date to watch for any further tax or allowance changes.

The political backdrop

Before entering Downing Street, Burnham said the government might have to "ask for a little more" at some point to balance the books, while arguing for greater fairness in the tax system. Since becoming Prime Minister, the emphasis from government has instead been on fiscal discipline and meeting the fiscal rules — a notably different emphasis in office than in his pre-PM comments, worth keeping in mind when weighing how much either statement actually predicts for 28 October.

Key moments between now and the Budget that could sharpen the picture: the Bank of England's 5 November decision falls after the Budget this time, so won't directly inform it. Labour's party conference in the weeks before may provide further clues about the government's priorities ahead of the Budget, though conference rhetoric doesn't necessarily translate into Budget policy.

Areas to watch — not confirmed

These aren't equally likely — some are grounded in measures already in motion, others are recurring Budget speculation with no specific signal behind them this year. None of this is confirmed, and specific numbers should be treated as guesswork until announced:

• ISAs — already undergoing major reform from April 2027. The government set out anti-circumvention rules in June and published draft ISA regulations for technical consultation in July, so further implementation detail is worth watching.
• Tax on savings and property income — last year's Budget already created the new 22%/42%/47% rates from April 2027, so implementation detail or further changes are worth watching, more so than a fresh announcement from nothing.
• Pensions — a recurring area of Budget speculation, but no specific 2026 measure has been signalled.
• Capital Gains Tax — commonly discussed ahead of any Budget; no confirmed proposal for this one.
• Fuel duty — routinely reviewed at fiscal events, but no announced 2026 decision.

We'll cover the actual announcements in full once they're published on 28 October — this preview will be updated with a result summary and links to detailed breakdowns of whatever's confirmed.

What should you do before the Budget?

Don't rush into a financial decision purely because of Budget speculation. The £20,000 ISA allowance for 2026/27 remains available until 5 April 2027, and no change to this tax year's limit has been announced. If you were already planning to use an ISA, make pension contributions, or review your finances, you can work from the rules currently in force rather than trying to second-guess 28 October.

• The £20,000 overall ISA allowance remains for 2026/27 — see our 2026/27 ISA deadline guide.
• Current pension rules remain in force unless and until the government announces otherwise.
• Avoid crystallising gains, moving pensions, or restructuring ownership solely because of press rumours.
• Revisit your plans after the confirmed Budget documents are published, not before.