Budget leaves major spending and cost-of-living questions for next year

Politics · First reported 29 Oct, 13:47 · Updated 16:58

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

Two assessments of John Healey’s Budget highlight unresolved choices over public spending and household support. The IFS warned that spending plans could imply cuts or future tax rises, while the Resolution Foundation criticized the targeting and scale of energy assistance.

The IFS said the Budget left a £28bn shortfall to address and could require £17bn in additional funding for unprotected departments in 2030–31, before an estimated £11bn for the defence-spending commitment.
The Resolution Foundation said average annual energy bills were likely to reach £1,750 in 2026–27 and typical disposable income could fall by £1,050 over the next two to three years.
Both assessments said significant choices remained for next year, including how to balance public services, household incomes and the government’s fiscal plans.

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Key facts

IFS estimate: £17bn additional funding for unprotected departments in 2030–31, before £11bn for the defence commitment (a6b38f53-9a46-46d7-ad5d-1d1e6d5f89db)
Energy support: £100 payment for households in council tax bands A to D (157a3eef-1ca5-4a24-a9a4-f09a6127d30d)
Energy-bill forecast: Average annual bills likely to reach £1,750 in 2026–27 (157a3eef-1ca5-4a24-a9a4-f09a6127d30d)
Disposable-income forecast: Typical disposable income expected to fall by £1,050 over the next two to three years (157a3eef-1ca5-4a24-a9a4-f09a6127d)