28/10/2026
Budget 2026: the key announcements
A quick summary of the measures announced today:
• Cash ISAs: the planned reduction in the cash ISA allowance will not go ahead.
• Savings and rental income: tax rates to increase by a further 2 percentage points from April 2027.
• Business rates: the small business rate relief threshold for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England to rise from £12,000 to £18,000, taking around 70,000 more businesses out of paying rates. Other businesses in these sectors will have increases capped at inflation for two years. Business rates in Wales are devolved, so separate Welsh arrangements apply.
• Business sales: the Business Asset Disposal Relief limit to fall from £1 million to £500,000.
• Entrepreneurs: a new Founders’ Relief offering a 10% Capital Gains Tax rate on qualifying lifetime gains up to £10 million.
• Small traders: the trading allowance to rise from £1,000 to £3,000.
• First time buyers: a new ISA to replace the Lifetime ISA, alongside a new equity loan scheme from next spring.
• State Pension: changes to the triple lock from 2030 were reiterated, with annual increases linked to earnings and inflation.
• Energy bills: a £100 winter payment announced for households in council tax bands A to D in England. Devolved governments will receive funding, with arrangements for Wales to be confirmed.
These are headline announcements from the speech. Full details, eligibility and implementation dates remain important.
For general information only, not personal financial advice. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change.