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Join Which? MoneyAutumn Budget 2026: what was in the small print?
We've taken a closer look at the Autumn Budget red book to find the changes that weren't in the Chancellor's speech
With a background in financial journalism across national titles, Ruby loves helping people take control of their money and specialises in pensions, tax, banking and benefits.
Matthew is an award-winning journalist, specialising in savings, tax and insurance.
Chancellor John Healey set out his first Autumn Budget on Wednesday (28 October) after weeks of anticipation.
The Chancellor outlined major changes, including giving households a one-off £100 payment for energy bills, scrapping the planned cash Isa cut, and introducing a new personal allowance for state pensioners. But some key details flew under the radar.
Here, Which? takes a look through the small print of the 'red book' to find some of the changes that might not have made headlines, but could still impact your wallet.
Tax
Making Tax Digital (MTD) rollout paused
The government will halt the wider rollout of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax once it expands to taxpayers earning over £30,000 next April. Budget documents confirmed that ministers are 'deferring the roll-out of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax to several taxpayer groups until further notice.'
For those still scheduled to join the scheme in April 2027, penalty points will be waived for late submissions across their first four quarterly updates during the 2027-28 tax year.
- Find out more: Making Tax Digital for income tax
More regular tax bills for some taxpayers
From April 2029, self-employed workers, business partners and landlords who use the 'Payments on Account' system will switch from two annual instalments in January and July to smaller, more frequent payments spread throughout the year.
The total amount of tax you owe will not change, but instead the government says taxpayers will be paying closer to when they earn the money, which will make it easier to budget and prevent a shock tax bill.
- Find out more: how rental income is taxed
Easier expense claims for workers
Starting in April 2028, claiming tax relief on job-related expenses will become much simpler for around 160,000 employees.
The government is removing the £2,500 threshold that previously meant anyone claiming above that amount for out-of-pocket work costs – such as tools, uniforms, or travel – had to file a complex annual self-assessment tax return. Instead, you will be able to claim that relief directly through your regular payroll (PAYE).
- Find out more: how to fill in a self-assessment tax return
Inflation increases for smaller tax allowances
Several smaller tax allowances will rise by 3.5% from April 2027 in line with September’s CPI figure:
- The married couple’s allowance will increase from £11,710 to £12,110
- The blind person’s allowance will rise from £3,250 to £3,370
Offsetting child benefit overpayments
HMRC will now automatically deduct child benefit overpayments from any high income child benefit charge (HICBC) a taxpayer owes. This replaces the previous system, which often required individuals to pay a tax bill while waiting for a separate refund to be processed.
The measure is backdated to January 2013, allowing HMRC to resolve historical overlapping payments automatically.
- Find out more: child benefit rates and calculator 2026-27 and 2027-28
Inheritance tax property trust changes
The government is closing an inheritance tax loophole that allowed people to use debts tied to trusts to reduce their tax bills.
Under the new rules, taking effect for deaths on or after 28 October 2026, debts on trust property will face the same strict limits as personal debts to clamp down on tax avoidance.
- Find out more: inheritance tax and trusts
Business asset disposal relief cut
Starting in April 2027, the UK government is cutting the lifetime limit for Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) in half – from £1m to £500,000 – which lowers the amount of profit that qualifies for a discounted capital gains tax rate when selling a business.
Any profit earned above £500,000 will be taxed at standard, higher rates. However, the government highlights that 75% of business sellers make £500,000 or less, meaning three out of four will still receive full tax relief on their entire profit.
Savings
Help to Save scheme reformed
Starting in spring 2028, the government’s Help to Save scheme, which offers eligible low-income savers a 50% bonus on their deposits, will expand so accounts can be opened directly through major high-street banks and building societies, not just a single government provider.
- Find out more: best savings accounts 2026
Pensions
Lump sum death rule reform
The government will abolish the two-year rule, meaning beneficiaries will no longer be taxed solely because tax-free pension and lump sum death benefits are paid more than two years after the member’s death.
The change will apply to payments made on or after 28 October 2026.
Terminal illness definitions
The government will simplify the definition of terminal illness to help people access their pension savings sooner and allow medical evidence from overseas-registered practitioners.
Energy
Help with debt
From 2027, the government will introduce a new 'Energy Debt Circuit Breaker' strategy, aimed at helping households who are struggling to repay what's owed. It will also tackle some of the root causes that contribute to debt building up in the first place.
The strategy will:
- Introduce a one-off Debt Relief Scheme to tackle debt built up during the energy crisis
- Reform the home moves process to prevent further debt
- Review rules on involuntary prepayment meters to protect vulnerable consumers
- Modernise energy payment methods by reviewing standard credit and promoting Smart Pay As You Go, potentially saving a typical household around £20 a year.
The strategy is expected to save all bill payers £30 by 2030 and around £130 over the next decade by preventing debt costs from being passed on to all consumers.
- Find out more: how the Autumn Budget impacts your energy bills
Gas tax scrapped
A new green levy on gas bills in Great Britain will no longer be introduced as planned in 2027.
The gas shipper obligation (GSO) would have been whacked on top of household energy bills to help subsidise clean hydrogen projects. It's estimated it would have added up to £7.10 to average gas and electricity bills.
Benefits
Universal Credit surplus earnings threshold
The government will maintain the surplus earnings threshold at £2,500 for universal credit claimants in Great Britain for an additional year, until the end of March 2028.
- Find out more: Universal Credit explained
Benefit restrictions for serious offenders
Entitlement to universal credit, pension credit, and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) will be removed from offenders detained in hospital who are convicted of the most serious violent and sexual offences.
Increased pension credit checks
Prompts will be introduced for pension credit claimants to verify and redeclare the correct amount of 'capital' they hold. This includes things such as your total savings, investments and financial assets, as well as property other than your main home.
- Find out more: pension credit explained
Alcohol duty to rise
Alcohol duty will rise by 3.9% in line with RPI inflation from 1 February 2027. The increase is set to add around 2p to the duty on an average pint, taking it from 50p to 52p; between 10p and 12p to a bottle of wine; and roughly 35p to a 70cl bottle of 37.5% gin.
To support independent makers, the government is expanding Small Producer Relief. From February 2027, the discount taper will become more generous for drinks under 3.5% ABV, while the discount for products between 3.5% and 8.4% ABV will rise by RPI plus an additional 10%.
Transport
Air Passenger Duty rates
The government will increase all rates of Air Passenger Duty in line with RPI inflation from 1 April 2028. These rates will be rounded to the nearest penny.
APD is a tax paid by customers when they book a flight and is calculated based on the distance travelled.
Bus fares capped
Single bus fares will be capped at £2 in England and outside of London. That will come into force from 1 January 2027.