Understanding the Autumn Budget 2026

What is the Budget and why does it matter?

The Budget is an important moment in the political calendar. It’s when the Chancellor of the Exchequer stands up in Parliament to set out the Government’s plans for raising money through taxation and borrowing, and how it intends to spend that money across different priorities, public services and departments.

The Budget speech gives Parliament and the public an insight into how the Government intends to deliver on its priorities and promises.

This year’s Budget is particularly significant. With a new Prime Minister and a new Chancellor, it will be an opportunity to see how Andy Burnham’s Government plans to deliver on the commitments it has made since taking office.

Climate and nature will be part of this picture, too. We may see specific announcements about climate and environmental policies, but the Budget will also reveal how existing and promised policies are going to be funded.

And while the Budget has important implications for Parliament and policymaking, it matters to all of us in our everyday lives.

Ultimately, Government spending decisions influence the public services available in our communities, how those services are funded, and how we contribute towards them through taxation. These decisions can affect everything from local services and infrastructure to the support available for communities and businesses.

The Budget is therefore an important opportunity to understand the Government’s priorities, how it plans to deliver on its promises, and what those decisions could mean for people, communities, climate and nature.

What happens on the day of the announcement?

So what will Budget day actually look like?

On 28 October, shortly after Prime Minister’s Questions, the Chancellor, John Healey, will deliver the Budget speech in the House of Commons.

It’s usually a lengthy speech, sometimes lasting more than an hour, and it’s an important political moment. Alongside explaining how the Government plans to raise and spend money, the Chancellor will set out why these decisions matter and how they reflect the Government’s wider vision for the country.

Following the speech, the Leader of the Opposition will have an opportunity to respond, followed by the leader of the second-largest opposition party. This is the beginning of Parliament’s scrutiny of the Budget and the decisions it contains.

The announcement is then followed by several days of parliamentary debates, giving MPs the opportunity to discuss different aspects of the Budget. They can raise concerns, explain what they support and highlight what they believe is missing.

Some tax changes can take effect on Budget day or shortly afterwards. Other measures need to be taken forward through the Finance Bill, which is the longer piece of legislation that will go through Parliament used to implement the Budget’s proposals.

The Government will also publish the long-form Budget documents online following the Chancellor’s speech. These provide more about exactly how different departments and projects are going to be funded and what money has been allocated to them.

What happens after the announcement?

After the Budget, you might be wondering: Can my MP still do anything to influence the decisions that have been announced?

The answer is ultimately, yes. There are several ways MPs can continue to scrutinise the Budget, raise concerns and push for changes, and you can play a part in that process.

First, the debates that follow the Budget give MPs an opportunity to speak about specific policy areas and put their views directly to the relevant ministers. They can explain which proposals they support, challenge those they disagree with, and highlight issues they believe the Government has overlooked.

The Finance Bill provides another opportunity for scrutiny. As the legislation that takes forward the Budget’s proposals, it goes through Parliament much like other bills, with opportunities for MPs to debate its contents and propose amendments.

Apart from these two official frameworks, MPs will also be having conversations with ministers, MPs that they agree with, or even just people across the house to put forward their views on the budget and maybe what they think should have been different. But, most crucially, they can bring the views and experiences of their constituents into these conversations.

That’s where you come in.

Contacting your MP

If there’s something in the Budget you disagree with, a policy you believe should have been prioritised, or something missing that could make a difference to your community, climate or nature, you can contact your MP and explain why it matters to you.

At Hope for the Future, we know that some of the most meaningful political conversations happen when people meet with their elected representatives and talk about the issues that matter to them. These conversations can help build relationships, encourage accountability and ensure that people's experiences are part of the decision-making process.

So, once the announcements have been made, don’t assume the conversation is over. Your voice still matters after Budget day.

If you’re not sure where to start, explore Hope for the Future’s step-by-step guides to contacting your MP and having a meaningful political conversation.

Together, we can help build a democracy where people feel confident making their voices heard, and where decision-makers take the time to listen.