The people behind the Autumn Budget 2026

When the Autumn Budget takes place on Wednesday 28 October 2026, it will be the first delivered under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his recently appointed Chancellor, John Healey.

It’s an unusual start for the new government, with Burnham having become both an MP and Prime Minister within the space of a few weeks. While the full details of the Budget are yet to emerge, the government has already begun to set out its wider priorities. Here, we look at the announcements made during the government’s opening weeks.

Andy Burnham became Prime Minister on 20 July 2026, four days after being elected leader of the Labour Party.

He first entered Parliament as the MP for Leigh in 2001. During the Labour governments led by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, Burnham held several senior positions, including Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Secretary of State for Health.

In opposition, he served as Shadow Health Secretary, Shadow Education Secretary and Shadow Home Secretary. He also stood for the Labour leadership in 2010 and 2015.

Burnham left Parliament after being elected Mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017. He was re-elected in 2021 and 2024, overseeing areas including transport, housing, skills and regional economic development. During his time as mayor, Greater Manchester brought its bus network back under public control.

He returned to the House of Commons as the MP for Makerfield in June 2026, before becoming Labour leader and Prime Minister the following month.

Burnham’s first announcements

In his first speech as Prime Minister, Burnham said his government would seek to move political power away from Westminster and pursue a more collaborative approach to government. He also placed regional growth, reindustrialisation and the cost of living among his early priorities.

Among the government’s first announcements was a temporary removal of VAT from electricity bills and reductions on business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues across England from April next year. Burnham also established ‘No.10 North’, a government base in Manchester intended to support decision-making and increase the government’s presence outside London.

Education and employment have also featured in his opening weeks. The government has announced plans to place greater emphasis on technical and vocational education, with schools, colleges, employers and local leaders working together to develop routes into skilled employment.

Burnham has also brought forward work on adult social care. The government has accelerated the timetable for the independent commission led by Baroness Louise Casey, which is now expected to report next summer rather than in 2028. It has also opened cross-party talks and launched a public consultation on the future of social care.

John Healey was appointed Chancellor on 20 July 2026. He will present his first Budget on 28 October, alongside an updated economic and fiscal forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Healey has been an MP since 1997 and currently represents Rawmarsh and Conisbrough in South Yorkshire.

His appointment marks a return to the Treasury. Between 2002 and 2007, Healey served first as Economic Secretary and then as Financial Secretary to the Treasury. His responsibilities during that period included financial services, taxation and public finances.

He subsequently served as Local Government Minister and Housing Minister. In opposition, he held a number of frontbench positions, including Shadow Health Secretary, Shadow Housing Secretary and Shadow Defence Secretary.

Following the 2024 general election, Healey was appointed Secretary of State for Defence, a position he held until June 2026.

In his first speech to Treasury officials as Chancellor, Healey described the Treasury as an institution responsible for stability, security and growth. He said the government’s immediate task was to improve living standards, support communities and operate in what he described as a more challenging international environment.

Healey has confirmed that the Autumn Budget will comply with the government’s fiscal rules. He has also said it will focus on moving greater financial and political power out of Westminster, although the detailed tax and spending measures will not be known until the Budget is delivered.

The Prime Minister will set the government’s overall direction, while the Chancellor will be responsible for translating its priorities into decisions on taxation, borrowing and public spending. Their first Autumn Budget together will provide the clearest account so far of how those priorities will be funded and delivered.

Evelyn Partners will be following developments closely in the weeks ahead, with expert commentary, analysis and practical guidance before, during and after the Budget.

To discuss any aspect of the upcoming Budget or your personal finances, speak to your usual Evelyn Partners contact or book an appointment.