UK Tax Year Dates, Changes and Deadlines 2026/27 — What's New and WhenAutumn Statement 2026 — What to Expect
Key predictions and areas to watch for the Autumn Statement 2026, including likely tax changes, benefits uprating, and spending announcements.
The Autumn Statement is one of the most important dates in the UK financial calendar. While the 2026 statement has not yet been announced, here are the key areas to watch and what we know so far.
When Is It?
| Detail | Expected |
|---|
| Date | Late October or November 2026 (exact date TBC) |
| Who delivers it | Chancellor of the Exchequer |
| Where | House of Commons |
| Economic forecasts by | Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) |
Areas to Watch
Income Tax
| Issue | Current position | What might change |
|---|
| Personal Allowance | £12,570 (frozen until April 2028) | Could be extended beyond 2028 or unfrozen |
| Basic rate band | £12,571–£50,270 | May remain frozen (fiscal drag continues) |
| Higher rate (40%) | £50,271+ | Threshold could remain frozen |
| Additional rate (45%) | £125,140+ | Unlikely to change — already lowered in 2023 |
The income tax threshold freeze is a stealth tax increase — as wages rise, more people pay higher rates. By 2028, this freeze is expected to bring in billions in extra revenue.
National Insurance
| Issue | Current position | What might change |
|---|
| Employee NI rate | 8% (reduced from 12% in 2024) | Government pledged not to increase — likely to stay |
| Employer NI rate | 15% (increased from 13.8% in April 2025) | May remain — government may look at threshold changes instead |
| Self-employed NI (Class 4) | 6% | Likely stable |
| NI threshold | £12,570 | Frozen alongside income tax thresholds |
Capital Gains Tax
| Issue | Current position | What might change |
|---|
| Basic rate CGT | 18% (residential property) / 10% (other assets) | Rates were increased in 2024 — further changes possible |
| Higher rate CGT | 24% (residential property) / 20% (other assets) | Government has signalled alignment with income tax is possible long-term |
| Annual exempt amount | £3,000 | Could be reduced further or frozen |
| Business Asset Disposal Relief | 10% up to £1m lifetime | May be reduced or reformed |
Inheritance Tax
| Issue | Current position | What might change |
|---|
| Nil-rate band | £325,000 (frozen since 2009) | Unlikely to increase — major revenue source |
| Residence nil-rate band | £175,000 | Frozen |
| Pensions in IHT | From April 2027, pensions brought into IHT | Watch for implementation details |
| Agricultural and business relief | Being reformed from April 2026 | Watch for transition details |
Pensions
| Issue | Current position | What might change |
|---|
| Annual allowance | £60,000 | May be reviewed — some speculation about reduction |
| Tax-free lump sum | 25% (up to £268,275) | Could be capped at a lower amount |
| Pension tax relief | At marginal rate | Possible move to flat rate (long-discussed, never implemented) |
| State Pension triple lock | Maintained | Under pressure due to cost — watch for changes |
| Normal minimum pension age | 55 (rising to 57 in 2028) | Confirmed for 2028 — unlikely to change further |
Benefits Uprating
| Benefit | Current uprating method | Expected change |
|---|
| State Pension | Triple lock (higher of earnings, CPI, or 2.5%) | Likely maintained for 2027/28 |
| Universal Credit | CPI inflation | Standard uprating expected |
| Child Benefit | CPI inflation | Standard uprating expected |
| Benefit cap | May be reviewed | Could be frozen or increased |
| Two-child limit | Under review | Possible reform or removal |
Housing and Property
| Issue | Current position | What might change |
|---|
| Stamp duty | Current rates and thresholds | First-time buyer relief may change |
| Mortgage interest relief (landlords) | 20% tax credit | Unlikely to change |
| Renters’ reform | Renters’ Rights Bill progressing | Implementation details |
| Help to Buy alternatives | Lifetime ISA £450,000 limit | Possible increase to cap |
| Right to Buy discounts | Under review | May be reformed |
Energy and Environment
| Issue | Current position | What might change |
|---|
| Energy price cap | Quarterly Ofgem cap | Government may announce broader energy strategy |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Extended to 2028 | May increase grant amounts or expand eligibility |
| Warm Home Discount | £150 | Could be increased |
| Green investment | Various schemes | Possible new announcements |
| Carbon pricing | UK ETS | May expand to new sectors |
How Previous Autumn Statements Affected Your Money
Key Changes from 2024/2025
| Change | Impact |
|---|
| Employer NI increased to 15% | Businesses face higher costs — some passed to employees via lower wage growth |
| CGT rates increased | Higher tax on investment and property gains |
| Pensions brought into IHT from April 2027 | Major change for estate planning |
| Income tax thresholds frozen to 2028 | Millions paying more tax through fiscal drag |
| Non-dom status abolished | Affects international workers moving to/from UK |
What to Do Before the Autumn Statement
| Action | Why |
|---|
| Review your ISA contributions | Use your allowance before any possible changes |
| Check pension contributions | Maximise tax relief before any cap changes |
| Review CGT position | Consider crystallising gains before potential rate changes |
| Update your will | Especially given IHT pension changes from April 2027 |
| Review salary sacrifice arrangements | Ensure you are maximising NI savings |
How We’ll Cover It
We will update this guide with the confirmed changes as soon as the Autumn Statement is delivered. Bookmark this page and check back when the date is announced.
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