2026 Autumn Budget - the political reaction

Addressing the House of Commons, Chancellor John Healey used the 2026 Autumn Budget to announce an increase in the business rates threshold in England from £12,000 to £18,000 and a new tax-free allowance for low-income pensioners to ensure those with income up to the value of the full new State Pension will not pay Income Tax.

28 Oct 2026

Addressing the House of Commons, Chancellor John Healey used the 2026 Autumn Budget to announce an increase in the business rates threshold in England from £12,000 to £18,000 and a new tax-free allowance for low-income pensioners to ensure those with income up to the value of the full new State Pension will not pay Income Tax.

During his speech, the Chancellor said the Autumn Budget measures will offer people 'breathing space today'.

He said that the UK is a country 'turning a corner'. Mr Healey continued: 'A country whose people, businesses and communities are ready to seize the opportunity of new technologies and new ideas.

'We'll see the self-employed make profits and invest it back into their business. We'll see high streets and factories on the up. Growth built in more places, for more places. Britain's economy on the up.'

Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Conservative Party, commented: 'We are overspent, overborrowed, overtaxed and drowning in an out-of-control welfare system.

'It is simply not enough: not good enough, not strong enough, not bold enough.'

Meanwhile, Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, stated: 'We need a real growth plan with Europe at its heart. Labour must fix the Conservatives' botched Brexit deal by joining the single market and a customs union, and use the billions that raises to cut people's taxes.'