Autumn Budget 2026: is your household better or worse off?

£100 Household Energy Payment (England, council tax bands A to D)

A £100 payment, delivered by local authorities through the council tax system, for households in council tax bands A to D in England (up to 20 million households, around 80% of households in England). The devolved governments receive their share of the funding through the Barnett formula, which will enable them to provide similar support.

Starts: From January 2027 · Budget 2026, chapter 3 (Breathing space), and Table 6.1, measure 1

0% VAT on household electricity extended to July 2027

The temporary 0% rate of VAT on household electricity, which began on 1 October 2026, is extended by three months to 1 July 2027. It is expected to take around £50 off the annual Ofgem price cap in April 2027, and almost all households in the UK benefit.

Starts: Began 1 October 2026 and now runs to 1 July 2027; in Northern Ireland the extended relief is expected to apply from April 2027 · Budget 2026, chapter 3 (Breathing space), and Table 6.1, measure 2

Standing charges removed from household gas bills

The fixed daily charge on gas bills (about £108 a year for a typical home) moves into the price per unit of gas. Homes that use less gas pay less; the heaviest users may pay more.

Starts: By the end of 2027 or as soon as possible after (the government has asked Ofgem to deliver) · HM Treasury, 28 October 2026

Energy debt reforms and a one-off debt relief scheme

A new energy debt strategy for Great Britain brings reforms to prevent debt building up, improve repayment and strengthen household support, plus a one-off targeted debt relief scheme for eligible households. The government expects it to save a typical household almost £30 by 2030.

Starts: Strategy implemented starting in 2026; the debt relief scheme is due to launch in 2027 · Budget 2026, chapter 3 (Breathing space), and chapter 6 (Policy decisions), Energy bills

Import tariffs suspended on kerosene heating oil

Tariffs on kerosene heating oil are suspended, which the document says supports households that rely on heating oil, including many people in rural areas and Northern Ireland.

Starts: From 26 November 2026 until 31 December 2028 · Budget 2026, chapter 3 (Breathing space), and Table 6.1, measure 10

Fuel duty 5p cut extended to 1 July 2027, RPI rise deferred

The 5p-per-litre cut in fuel duty is extended by a further six months to 1 July 2027, cancelling the plan to add 5p back from January 2027. The planned Retail Prices Index (RPI) increase in fuel duty is also deferred to 1 July 2027.

Starts: The cut now runs to 1 July 2027; the RPI increase is deferred to 1 July 2027 · Budget 2026, chapter 3 (Breathing space), and Table 6.1, measure 3

£2 cap on single bus fares in England outside London

Single bus fares are capped at £2 in England outside London for one year.

Starts: From 1 January 2027, for one year · Budget 2026, Table 6.1, measure 4

Lower costs at local public electric vehicle chargers

£100 million over the next two years will reduce the cost of using local, lower-powered public chargers in Great Britain, and a taskforce will explore letting drivers use their domestic electricity tariff at them. It matters for electric vehicle (EV) drivers, not for petrol or diesel drivers.

Starts: From Spring 2027 (the Department for Transport will set out next steps) · Budget 2026, chapter 3 (Breathing space), and Table 6.1, measure 32

National Living Wage rises to £13.21 an hour

The National Living Wage rises by 3.9% to £13.21 an hour, and the National Minimum Wage for 18- to 20-year-olds rises by 3.9% to £11.27 an hour. The government expects the increases to benefit around 2.3 million workers.

Starts: 1 April 2027 · Budget 2026, chapter 3 (Breathing space), and chapter 6 (Policy decisions), Young people and labour markets

Higher tax-free mileage rates for using your own car or van for work

The tax-free rate is 55p a mile for the first 10,000 business miles (the temporary rate announced in May is made permanent), and the rate above 10,000 business miles rises from 25p to 35p. Around 2 million employees and 1 million self-employed people are expected to gain.

Starts: 55p rate from 6 April 2026 (now permanent); 35p above 10,000 miles from 6 April 2027 · Budget 2026, chapter 3 (Breathing space), and Table 6.1, measure 5

Pension Tax Allowance: no income tax on pension income up to the full new State Pension

Pensioners over State Pension age whose total income from any source is at or below the full new State Pension will not pay income tax, so State Pension rises in this Parliament do not bring them into paying small amounts of tax. For incomes just above the full new State Pension the allowance is gradually withdrawn through a taper.

Starts: 6 April 2027 until 5 April 2030 (arrangements beyond April 2030 to be considered) · Budget 2026, chapter 3 (Breathing space), and Table 6.1, measure 52

State Pension triple lock continues to April 2029, then is adjusted from April 2030

The State Pension keeps rising each year by the highest of 2.5%, inflation or earnings growth through to April 2029. From April 2030 the adjusted rule applies: it rises each year by the highest of 2.5%, inflation, or the amount required to maintain its value relative to earnings as reached in April 2029.

Starts: Unchanged to April 2029; adjusted rule from April 2030 · Budget 2026, chapter 5 (Hope for the future), Box 5.A

Tax on savings interest rises to 24% at the basic rate from April 2027

Income tax rates on savings income rise by a further 2 percentage points at each band, to 24% (basic), 44% (higher) and 49% (additional) across the UK, on top of the 2-point rise announced at Budget 2025. It only affects savings income above your allowances, and the document says 84% of income tax payers are unaffected by this and the property income change.

Starts: 6 April 2027 · Budget 2026, chapter 2 (Fiscal responsibility and public spending), and Table 6.1, measure 62

Tax on rental income rises to 24% at the basic rate from April 2027 (England, Wales, NI)

Income tax rates on property income rise by a further 2 percentage points at each band, to 24% (basic), 44% (higher) and 49% (additional) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, so it affects landlords. The document says 84% of income tax payers are unaffected by this and the savings income change.

Starts: 6 April 2027 · Budget 2026, chapter 2 (Fiscal responsibility and public spending), and Table 6.1, measure 61

Cash ISA limit stays at £20,000

The government has decided not to reduce the annual cash ISA limit, so it remains at £20,000.

Starts: Stays at £20,000 from 6 April 2027 · Budget 2026, chapter 2 (Fiscal responsibility and public spending), and Table 6.1, measure 11

Trading Allowance rises from £1,000 to £3,000

The Income Tax Trading Allowance rises from £1,000 to £3,000, so individuals can receive up to £3,000 of trading and miscellaneous income tax-free each year. It only helps if you have that kind of income.

Starts: 6 April 2027 · Budget 2026, chapter 4 (Good growth in every postcode), and Table 6.1, measure 15

No increase to headline income tax, National Insurance or VAT rates

The government is keeping to its commitments on tax, with no increase to the headline rates of income tax, National Insurance contributions or VAT. Rates of tax paid on earnings are unchanged, while the Budget asks for more from taxable income from assets (savings and property income).

Starts: No change in this Budget · Budget 2026, chapter 2 (Fiscal responsibility and public spending)

Your First Home equity loans for first-time buyers in England

A £4.7 billion scheme gives first-time buyers in England a 20% government equity loan, a 2.5% deposit requirement (maximum deposit 15%) and a five-year interest-free period, with a gradual increase after five years. Income caps are £110,000 per household outside London and £140,000 inside London, and price caps are based on local authority median prices, with inner and outer London caps of £650,000 and £500,000.

Starts: From April 2027 · Budget 2026, chapter 5 (Hope for the future), Housing, and Table 6.1, measure 37

Lifetime ISA withdrawal charge cut from 25% to 20% for homes above £450,000

The withdrawal charge falls from 25% to 20% for first-time buyers using a Lifetime ISA to buy a property above the £450,000 price cap. The charge for unauthorised withdrawals stays at 25%.

Starts: From midnight 29 October 2026 · Budget 2026, Table 6.1, measure 39, and chapter 6 (Policy decisions), Property taxation

First Time Buyer ISA to replace the Lifetime ISA for new savers

A new First Time Buyer ISA replaces the Lifetime ISA for new savers: contributions of up to £4,000 a year get a 25% government bonus, paid when you withdraw to buy a first home worth up to £450,000, with the bonus capped at £20,000 and no upper age restriction. Existing Lifetime ISA holders can carry on under the current rules.

Starts: From April 2029 (6 April 2029) · Budget 2026, chapter 5 (Hope for the future), Housing, and Table 6.1, measure 38

High Value Council Tax Surcharge: deferrals, discounts and exemptions confirmed

The surcharge applies to high-value properties only, in England. The government has confirmed a deferral scheme, a series of discounts and exemptions, and a 100% premium on properties left empty and unoccupied for 12 months or more.

Starts: From 1 April 2028 (England only) · Budget 2026, chapter 6 (Policy decisions), Property taxation, and Table 6.1, measure 93

Universal Credit £2,500 surplus earnings threshold kept for another year

The surplus earnings threshold for Universal Credit claimants in Great Britain stays at £2,500 for a further year, until the end of March 2028.

Starts: From 1 April 2027, for one year (until the end of March 2028) · Budget 2026, Table 6.1, measure 8

Carer's Allowance: earnings taper replaces the cliff edge

Carers will no longer lose their entire Carer's Allowance for exceeding the Weekly Earnings Limit by a single penny; instead there is a 100% taper on earnings above the limit, so the payment falls as earnings rise. The government expects it to benefit around 48,000 carers in England and Wales.

Starts: During 2030-31 (England and Wales) · Budget 2026, chapter 3 (Breathing space), and Table 6.1, measure 7

Parental pay for self-employed fathers, partners and adopters

Eligible self-employed fathers, partners and adopters in Great Britain, who are currently excluded, can access parental pay through a new Parental Allowance. The government expects it to benefit over 150,000 parents a year.

Starts: From April 2029 (Great Britain) · Budget 2026, chapter 3 (Breathing space), and Table 6.1, measure 6

Import tariffs suspended on over 100 more food products

Tariffs on 101 food products, from plant-based drinks and baked beans to dried fruits and chocolate, are suspended, adding to the 135 food products suspended from 21 June 2026. The government expects the Budget package to reduce consumer costs by £120-185 million a year in total, or £245-595 million combined with the June package.

Starts: From 26 November 2026 until 31 December 2028 (the June package of 135 food products runs from 21 June 2026 to the same date) · Budget 2026, chapter 3 (Breathing space), and Table 6.1, measure 10

Interest on Plan 2 and Plan 3 student loans capped at 6%

Interest rates on Plan 2 and Plan 3 student loans are capped at 6% for a year. It only affects people with those loans.

Starts: From 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027 · Budget 2026, Table 6.1, measure 83