Chancellor pledges to make Great Britain 'growth Britain'

In a speech ahead of the Autumn Budget on 28 October, Chancellor John Healey pledged to make Great Britain 'growth Britain again' by strengthening the UK's economic growth trajectory.

8 Sep 2026

In a speech ahead of the Autumn Budget on 28 October, Chancellor John Healey pledged to make Great Britain 'growth Britain again' by strengthening the UK's economic growth trajectory.

Mr Healey said that he understands that small businesses in the UK are facing significant cost pressures, from rising energy bills to higher labour costs.

He stated that growth is the only way to combat cost increases for businesses and the public. The Chancellor intends to make the UK a 'country of wealth creation' by ensuring government policies help generate confidence in British businesses.

In his speech, the Chancellor also stated he won't respond to speculation regarding tax rises ahead of the Autumn Budget. He said the government is focused on 'doubling down' on growth, calling it the 'first economic priority' of this government.

Mr Healey said: 'On my first day in the Treasury, I said that fiscal discipline was my first priority as Chancellor. It underwrites every promise this government makes.

'And the Prime Minister and I are in lockstep in our commitment to meeting the fiscal rules at the upcoming Budget, from balancing the books with a buffer to protect against uncertainty to controlling borrowing to bear down on inflation and reducing long-term pressures on our public finances.'