Budget 2026: Healey hikes taxes on banks and landlords to fund £100 handouts to 20m households

UK Chancellor John Healey has introduced a new budget that increases taxes on banks and landlords to fund a £100 winter handout for 20 million households. The government cites global economic instability and rising energy costs as the primary drivers for these fiscal measures.
Why it matters
This budget reflects the government's attempt to balance fiscal responsibility with the immediate need to mitigate the ongoing cost-of-living crisis for low-income families.
Andy Burnham, the prime minister, hugs John Healey, the chancellor, after delivering his first annual budget./Getty Images Andy Burnham, the prime minister, hugs John Healey, the chancellor, after delivering his first annual budget./Getty Images Budget 2026 Budget 2026: Healey hikes taxes on banks and landlords to fund £100 handouts to 20m households Few surprises as chancellor uses low-key speech blaming ‘global economic storms’ for stoking energy prices and cost of living crisis
Briefing: key questions answered by Heather Stewart and Pippa Crerar
Editorial: Budget’s bold ambitions and welcome first steps
Prefer the Guardian on Google John Healey raised taxes on banks and landlords to fund a £100 winter handout for 20 million families as official forecasts made clear there is no end in sight for the cost of living crisis.
Headlinne story · 3 newsrooms
Chancellor John Healey Delivers First Budget With Targeted Support and Tax Changes
What every outlet reported, where they differ, and how each framed it →
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3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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