Autumn Budget 2026: What does the bond market want from Healey? October 23, 2026 John Healey is not expected to rock the boat in his maiden Budget next week. Looking at the combustible bond market, that’s probably just as well, writes Ali Lyon. John Healey is, the well-worn cliche goes, walking a tightrope. Boxed in from three directions, the Chancellor could certainly have hoped for an easier backdrop in [...]
How John Healey clamped down on Treasury speculation October 23, 2026 Since entering Downing Street in July, John Healey has faced criticism from some business chiefs over an economic vision that seems similar to Rachel Reeves. But one aspect of running the Treasury has split Healey from his predecessor more than any other: keeping a lid on Budget rumours. After being appointed Chancellor, City AM can [...]
Ex-cost of living adviser Richard Walker demands ‘aggressive’ tax reform October 21, 2026 Lord Richard Walker, the Iceland boss who advised the Sir Keir Starmer government on the cost of living, has called on Andy Burnham and John Healey to unleash “aggressive” tax reform to encourage firms to invest and hire more young people. In a paper for the Blairite think tank Progress, Walker made a series of [...]
Budget 2026: Healey warned betting tax hikes could hit non-league football October 21, 2026 The Chancellor has been warned that tax rises on betting operators could have an impact on non-league football amid duty hike fears at next week’s Budget. Chancellor John Healey will next week deliver Andy Burnham’s first Budget since his coronation as Prime Minister earlier this year, and taxes are expected to be jacked up on [...]
Why Healey will miss a £25bn bonus from better productivity October 20, 2026 The UK economy’s productivity picture has radically changed in the last year. Maurício Alencar considers what this could mean for John Healey. For weeks leading up to last year’s Budget, reports dripping from so-called Treasury sources insisted it was not Rachel Reeves’ fault that tax hikes worth billions of pounds were on the horizon. The [...]
Healey plots Budget raid on family businesses October 19, 2026 John Healey has reportedly drawn up plans for a tax raid on family businesses ahead of his first Budget, as he scrambles to avoid spending cuts. The Chancellor is considering proposals to levy income tax when business owners hand their company down to their children, potentially almost doubling the tax bill, according to a report [...]
Tories to warn Burnham on ‘bending to left’ on bank tax raid October 14, 2026 Kemi Badenoch is expected to fire a bank tax warning shot to the Labour government on Thursday during a visit to Edinburgh. The Conservatives will warn Andy Burnham against “bending the knee to left-wing backbenchers and trade union paymasters,” as the pre-Budget debate heats up. It follows the banking sector swinging into defence mode ahead [...]
B&Q and Screwfix CEO: Healey must cut business rates October 14, 2026 Of all the levers available, reforming business rates presents the single biggest opportunity for the Chancellor to help retailers keep investing, says Thierry Garnier If the Prime Minister wants to deliver growth in every postcode, he can look at the businesses that are already present in every community. Retailers employ 2.75m people across the country [...]
Retail bosses ramp up pressure on Healey to cut ‘ridiculous’ tax burden October 11, 2026 The bosses of Marks & Spencer and John Lewis have piled further pressure on the government to slash the “ridiculous” tax burden facing high street firms. Stuart Machin, chief executive of M&S, called on Chancellor John Healey to “restore hope” within the retail industry by turning a corner from Labour’s last two budgets, which he [...]
UK disposable income rises as benefits payouts soar ahead of wages September 30, 2026 The average UK household’s disposable income increased in the second quarter of the year driven by a rise in benefit payouts. Real household disposable income per head – which measures the average spending and saving capacity of Brits – increased by one per cent in the second quarter to £6,577, new figures from the Office [...]