Budget 2026 LIVE: Chancellor John Healey's spending plans and what they mean for Scotland
The Chancellor will deliver his tax and spending plans in the Commons
John Healey has promised to use his first Budget to move to cut energy bills “for good” as the UK government seeks to ease surging costs for households and businesses.
The Chancellor is expected to announce a freeze in fuel duty as well as plans for longer-term reforms, as he said his focus would be on making Britain “more resilient” to global shocks in the wake of the Iran war.
In a video message before he delivers the autumn statement on Wednesday, Mr Healey acknowledged the country was facing a “difficult moment” and promised changes would be made “responsibly” within Labour’s fiscal rules.
He said: “Breathing space for today and fresh hope for the future. That’s what today’s Budget will deliver.”
First Minister John Swinney said Mr Healey must deliver “substantial support” to help people with their energy bills.
“The Chancellor, at the very least, has got to fulfil Labour’s election commitment to deliver energy bills that are £300 lower than when Labour came to office,” he said.
“Now, at this moment, those energy bills are higher than when Labour came to office, and they’re projected to go even higher in January.
“So, if the Chancellor does not deliver substantial support to the cost of living around energy bills for people in Scotland, then the Chancellor’s budget is just like all the failed budgets of Rachel Reeves. It will not address the real issues that people are facing in our society.”
But what can we expect from today? Follow this blog for all the latest updates.
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