Budget 2026 leaks and rumours: What tax rises will Chancellor John Healey announce?

Chancellor John Healey is preparing to unveil the first Budget under Andy Burnham’s Labour Government.

The chancellor has warned the public to be prepared for a tough Budget, with many commentators expecting him to announce tax rises.

Mr Healey’s cabinet colleagues will be hoping he will announce spending boosts for their departments.

Rising borrowing costs and international cost-of-living pressures, fuelled by the US war on Iran, means the chancellor faces a difficult task to balance the books.

Here, the Standard looks at the rumours, leaks and speculation ahead of Mr Healey’s big speech.

Business rates cut

The move would mean thousands of high-street shops, cafes, pubs and other small businesses would no longer have to pay business rates.

The figures relate to "rateable value" - the estimated annual rental value of a commercial property.

Energy Bills and Warm Homes Discount

The Warm Homes Discount, which takes £150 off winter energy bills for eligible households, could be doubled for people on benefits at the Budget.

Broadcaster Martin Lewis said minister have “have to put a support mechanism in place” to increase the payments.

The Prime Minister has already cut VAT on electricity bills - and John Healey has hinted that further relief in the Budget, telling ITV News: “Energy costs are punishing at the moment.

“We will do what we can in the Budget, both for business and for households, to give people a bit of breathing space.”

Online marketplace tax crackdown

The chancellor is preparing to announce that online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay will be made responsible for collecting tax owed by all retailers selling on their platforms, according to The Times.

The change would make websites responsible for collecting VAT at source for retailers on their platform who have an annual turnover of more than £90,000, regardless of where they are based.

The move could raise up to £1billion for the Treasury and would fund the business rates cut for high-street shops, the newspaper reports.

Chancellor John Healey will deliver his Budget on Wednesday, October 28

PA Wire

Mansion Tax

But after warnings from Labour MPs about the impact it would have on families in the capital, it is understood the Chancellor is reconsidering the plan.

“We are quietly confident it will not be brought down to £1.5 million,” a London Labour source told the Standard.

Bank Tax

There is speculation that the chancellor will target banks in the Budget.

Reversing cuts to the bank surcharge made by former chancellor Jeremy Hunt is understood to be under discussion, The Guardian reports.

The move would raise more than £2billion a year.

John Healey is rumoured to be set to target the City with a levy on banks

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Mansion Tax

Speculation has been rife that the Budget will could include a significant change to high-value council tax surcharge – or “mansion tax” - which was announced by Rachel Reeves last year.

It will see owners of properties valued at over £2m start paying a regular annual charge worth up to £7,500 from April 2028.

Last month, The Times reported that the chancellor is considering lowering the threshold to £1.5m, which would make nearly 62,000 more London homeowners subject to the tax.

Capital Gains Tax

Fuel Duty

Rachael Reeves announced an increase to fuel duty of 3p a litre in January and 2p a litre in March.

But as the US war with Iran sends oil prices surging, The Times and others are reporting that Mr Healey could be set freeze duty in a boost for millions of motorists.

Business Inheritance

The Chancellor is reportedly considering levying income tax on business owners when they hand their company down to their children.

Currently inheriting a firm can be structured so it only attracts capital gains tax, which is charged at a lower rate.

But Mr Healey is said to be considering scrapping a loophole that means a family can convert holdings in their business into "redeemable shares", which the firm can buy back using its profits.

The current system attracts capital gains tax, charged at 24% for higher-rate payers, compared with 45% for income tax.

The move, which would hit entrepreneurs wanting to retire, could generate £300 million a year for the Treasury, the Telegraph reports.