2026 Autumn Budget - the business reaction

Business groups have reacted to Chancellor John Healey's Autumn Budget speech.

28 Oct 2026

Business groups have reacted to Chancellor John Healey's Autumn Budget speech.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said that the Budget 'does not meet the scale of the Government's ambition'. Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Executive of the CBI, said: 'On the face of it, this Budget lacks the bold moves that would have made it easier for firms to invest, hire and grow.

'Fiscal discipline matters, and the Chancellor is charting a path through difficult circumstances. At a time of exceptional geopolitical pressures, using some fiscal headroom to absorb genuine short-term shocks is preferable to loading additional permanent costs onto business and weakening investment.'

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) stated that the Autumn Budget 'misses the mark' on helping small firms with their costs and jobs.

Tina McKenzie, National Chair of the FSB, said: 'This Budget should have been the moment to help small businesses with the soaring costs holding them back, and the taxes restricting job creation. Instead, they got nothing to ease sky-high energy bills and nothing to make hiring someone more affordable, while the increase in business rates relief excludes too many.'

Meanwhile, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) labelled the Budget as 'a steady approach' but warned growth was ultimately missing.

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, commented: 'This was a 'steady as you go' Budget, sending the right signals to business, but lacking big calls that would really shift the economic dial.

'Most sectors will be pleased to have avoided any further taxes being piled upon them. But, overall, most businesses won't notice this Budget at all.'

The Institute of Directors (IoD) said that business leaders will be relieved that the Budget 'included no nasty surprises'. Jonathan Geldart, Director General of the IoD, said: 'There is still some way to go for the Government to win back the trust of British businesses, who will be looking for measures and assurances in the upcoming Ten Year Plan that restore long-term confidence in the UK economy enabling them to invest and grow.'