- England: a £100 Household Energy Payment for council tax bands A to D from January 2027 (announced, pending legislation).1 Direct Debit payers get it automatically; others apply when their council invites them.6
- No VAT on household electricity until 30 June 2027 (announced; the legislation is due in early 2027).2
- Gas standing charges to be abolished, with the cost moved into unit rates (announced, needs legislation).1
- Child Benefit from 6 April 2027: £28.00 a week for the eldest or only child and £18.55 for each other child.3
- Last checked: 28 October 2026.
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Energy bills
England: a £100 Household Energy Payment for homes in council tax bands A to D from January 2027 (announced, pending legislation). How it will be paid is not yet confirmed. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland get funding for similar support, not a confirmed payment.1
HMRC: “The temporary zero rate applies from 1 October 2026 to 30 June 2027.” The Budget on 28 October 2026 extended it from 31 March (announced; the legislation is due in early 2027). Gas stays at 5% VAT.5
Gas standing charges: the Budget asks Ofgem to abolish them, “aiming for delivery by the end of 2027” or as soon as possible after (announced, needs legislation). “Ofgem will ensure that energy suppliers recover these costs through gas unit rates instead”, so the cost moves into the price per kWh: you will not save the whole standing charge.1
Electricity standing charges: “the government is also committing to reform electricity standing charges and will set out details next year” (announced, needs legislation).1
Councils in England: “this Budget provides £100 million additional funding for local authorities in England” for targeted help with energy bills (announced, needs legislation).1
Energy debt: “The strategy is expected to save a typical household almost £30 by 2030” (government estimate).1
Benefits and family
Child Benefit from 6 April 2027: £28.00 a week for the eldest or only child and £18.55 for each other child. Guardian's Allowance £23.75 a week from the same date.3
High Income Child Benefit Charge: HMRC will be able “to offset Child Benefit overpayments against High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) payments” (announced, needs legislation).2
Universal Credit: the Budget will “Extend the £2,500 surplus earnings threshold for one year from 1 April 2027” (from 1 April 2027, needs regulations).1
Carer's Allowance: an earnings taper will replace the cliff edge. “The taper will be implemented during 2030‑31 following the development of a new IT system” (announced, needs legislation). The Budget does not give the taper rate.1
Parental Allowance for the self-employed: “from April 2029, eligible self-employed fathers, partners and adopters in Great Britain” (announced, needs legislation). No rate has been published.1
State Pension: the Budget announces “adjusting the Triple Lock from April 2030” (announced, needs legislation).1
The 2027-28 rates for Universal Credit, PIP, ESA, Carer's Allowance, the State Pension and Pension Credit are not published yet (not yet confirmed).
Savings and tax
Help to Save: “the reformed Help to Save scheme will be introduced in Spring 2028” (announced, needs legislation).2
The Budget says there is “no increase to the headline rates of income tax, National Insurance contributions, or VAT” (unchanged). The personal allowance stays £12,570 (unchanged).13
Watch out for scams
Be wary of anyone who contacts you about a Budget payment. Do not give bank or card details to anyone who says they can arrange one for you.
GOV.UK: “Forward suspicious text messages to 7726 - it’s free.” and “Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk”.4