Autumn Budget 2026

On 28 October 2026, Chancellor John Healey delivered his first Autumn Budget, setting out the Government’s plans for tax, spending and the public finances.

Watch our 90-second overview for a quick summary of the key Autumn Budget announcements.

What you need to know

Maurice von Bertele, a Partner in our Business Tax team, shares a comprehensive overview of the announcements.

"Overall this Budget shifts more of the tax burden onto banks, gambling companies and individuals with income from property and savings, whilst offering targeted reliefs to small businesses and households. A wide package of anti-avoidance and compliance measures shows HMRC will be more proactive in attempting to close the tax gap."

Maurice von Bertele cropped

Hear from our experts

The headline 10% CGT rate on gains of up to £10 million looks generous, but the conditions mean relatively few founders are likely to qualify. Founders will need to meet strict ownership, residence, employment and growth or innovation tests. For those who do qualify, the relief could be extremely valuable, particularly as BADR is further restricted, but founders should look carefully at the detail rather than let the £10 million headline drive transaction decisions.

Matt Katz, Partner and Team Leader, Corporate Finance

HMRC is set to gain stronger tools to tackle the tax gap, and taxpayers will face greater responsibility for ensuring their affairs are correct. The proposed requirement to correct inaccurate returns from April 2028 is particularly significant, with potentially serious consequences for those who fail to act. The key message is not to wait for HMRC to make contact: taxpayers with concerns about historic tax affairs should review their position and address any issues proactively.

Barbara Bento, Partner, Tax Disputes and Investigations

Keeping the Cash ISA limit at £20,000 is good news, but savers should look beyond the headline. Higher tax rates on savings income from April 2027 will make holding savings outside an ISA more expensive. Meanwhile, new ISA products may bring attractive incentives, but they also risk adding further complexity. Overall, this is a mixed Budget for savers, making it increasingly important to make full use of the tax-efficient allowances already available.

Rachel O'Donoghue, Partner, Financial Planning

Higher tax rates on rental profits and savings interest from April 2027 will hit landlords and savers. Landlords with £10,000 of taxable rental profit will pay £400 more in tax than last year. With dividend rates unchanged, holding property through a company may become more attractive in some circumstances, although incorporation can bring significant tax costs. Savers will also pay more tax on interest above their personal savings allowance.

Daniel Iles, Senior Manager, Private Client

Contact us

We're here to help - whether you have a question, need advice, or want to tell us about your requirements.