Major announcements you need to know from John Healey's Budget

John Healey doesn’t blame Brexit for sluggish UK growth – and Chancellor’s six biggest Budget announcements

Chancellor John Healey has not blamed Brexit for the UK’s economic woes, instead saying the Middle East conflict is driving up prices. Mr Healey claimed Britain is “defying expectations” and argued that forecasts putting the UK further down the global pecking order were inaccurate.“Those predictions of gloom were about as accurate as some of the predictions of who was going to be Chancellor,” Mr Healey joked.However, the Chancellor stopped short…

What are the standout points from the Budget?

Political editor Chris Mason analyses Chancellor John Healey's Budget 2026 announcements.

Budget at a glance: What has John Healey announced?

The Chancellor has set out his tax and spending plans.

Watch UK Budget 2026: Highlights From Healey's Announcement

UK Chancellor John Healey speaks in the House of Commons about his budget measures that he says are built on "fiscal discipline" and intended to give the British public "breathing space." During the speech, Healey outlined plans to impose an additional 3% tax on banks’ profits, to increase taxes on gambling and to target 3.5% of GDP for defense spending by 2035. He also announced updated OBR forecasts on growth and fiscal headroom.

Major announcements you need to know from John Healey's Budget

The Chancellor said the UK was being battered by a global economic storm

John Healey’s doom-and-gloom Budget gives away massive clue about snap election

Chancellor warns of storms ahead and denies voters big giveaways as he blames the conflict in the Middle East for cost-of-living turmoil