Budget 2026 leaks and rumours: What big changes could Chancellor John Healey make?

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 cutThe 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. Online marketplace tax crackdownThe 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 28PA WireEnergy BillsAndy Burnham 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.Read More“We will do what we can in the Budget, both for business and for households, to give people a bit of breathing space.”The Guardian reports that the chancellor is likely to expand the existing Warm Home Discount, which a yearly £150 rebate to energy bills for households receiving a qualifying means-tested benefit - with an extra £100 boost being mooted. Bank TaxThere 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 banksAFP/GettyMansion TaxSpeculation 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 TaxFuel DutyRachael 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.