Chancellor John Healey's newly announced fiscal package centers on household utility relief, including a £100 energy payment for certain homes and the complete elimination of gas standing charges. The government is also continuing the suspension of VAT on electricity bills until next July to maintain short-term stability. Described as a "steady as she goes" approach, the budget focuses on messaging hope while leaving major tax and spending choices for next year.
John Healey has delivered a ‘steady as she goes’ budget, with help for the cost of living a big theme. The chancellor promised a £100 energy payment for some households, extended the VAT suspension on electricity bills to next July and confirmed the scrapping of gas standing charges.
But after months of the same old message of ‘hope in difficult times’, and many of the big decisions on tax and spending delayed until next year, what should we take away from today?
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