The key announcements from the Autumn Budget 2026

Chancellor John Healey presented the 2026 Autumn Budget on 28 October 2028, setting out plans to provide short-term support for households and businesses while announcing measures designed to drive growth. He also presented the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts, which predict UK growth of 1.2% in 2026, 1.0% in 2027 and 1.8% in 2029, while government borrowing will be 4.2% of GDP this year, 3.4% next year, then 2.9%, 2.1% and 1.8% by 2030/31.

Among the areas addressed were tax on savings and property income, support for business investment, and incentives for entrepreneurs. The changes may be particularly relevant to potential investors with substantial taxable savings or property income, and to business owners planning a sale or succession.

Below, we’ve summarised the key announcements:

• From April 2027, tax rates on savings and property income will rise by a further 2 percentage points across all bands, on top of the increase announced in the previous Budget

• The cash ISA limit, which was due to be reduced to £12,000 for under-65s, will remain at £20,000

• There were no headline changes to income tax, National Insurance (NI) or dividend tax

• No general change to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rates was announced, outside of the specific changes for entrepreneurs and founders listed below

• Pensions were largely untouched, though the inclusion of pensions in estates for IHT purposes is still due to come into effect in April 2027. The current two-year rule, after which pension death benefits are subject to additional tax, has also been abolished

• Further detail was announced on the planned High Value Council Tax Surcharge (often referred to as the ‘mansion tax’) in England, including deferrals, discounts and exemptions for eligible properties. A 100% premium will apply to properties left empty and unoccupied for 12 months or more

• From April 2027, the lifetime limit for gains eligible for Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) will fall from £1 million to £500,000

• A new Founders’ Relief will offer qualifying founders of high-growth, innovative companies a 10% CGT rate on up to £10 million of lifetime gains. The detailed design is subject to consultation

• The Government will pilot a Young Entrepreneurs Allowance in England, offering successful applicants support with living costs during their first year of starting a business

• Companies will be able to give eligible employees more tax-advantaged share options. From April 2027, the maximum an employee can receive under the Company Share Option Plan (renamed EMI2) will double from £60,000 to £120,000 and will have longer to use their options after certain changes in their employment or company circumstances

To find out more about what these changes could mean for you, book an appointment online or speak to your usual Evelyn Partners contact.