Autumn Budget 2026: What Should You Review Before 28 October?

The Autumn Budget is approaching, and with it comes the familiar question: should you do anything now? For individuals and small business owners, a useful starting point is to understand your current position and identify the decisions that genuinely need attention.

HM Treasury has confirmed that the Budget will take place on Wednesday 28 October 2026. The Office for Budget Responsibility will publish its economic and fiscal forecast alongside it. The specific tax measures announced on the day remain to be seen.

What Is Worth Reviewing?

Start with the figures you already have. If you run a business, bring your bookkeeping up to date and review your expected profit, tax payments and cash commitments. For your personal finances, gather details of income, savings, pension contributions and any significant transactions you are considering.

A clear picture makes it easier to assess an announcement’s real effect on you. It also helps avoid decisions driven by a headline that may not apply to your circumstances.

Income, Dividends and Your Household Budget

For company owners, salary, dividends and pension contributions should be considered together. For individuals, the interaction between earnings, savings and other income can be just as important as a headline tax rate.

Questions worth discussing include:

• How much income are you likely to receive this tax year?
• Have your circumstances changed since your last tax review?
• Are you setting aside enough for your expected tax bill?

Before bringing income forward or changing how you take money from your company, check the wider tax and cash-flow consequences. A sensible arrangement for one person may not suit another.

Pensions and Longer-Term Plans

Pensions often attract attention before a Budget. If you are considering a contribution, retirement or a withdrawal, review the decision against your existing plans, available allowances and need for access to money.

Avoid making an irreversible decision solely because of speculation about possible changes. Tax planning and the suitability of a pension or investment are separate considerations; regulated financial advice may be needed alongside advice on the tax position.

Business Costs, Employment and Investment

Payroll, borrowing and overheads all affect the amount a business can afford to invest. A practical pre-Budget review should look at your expected staffing costs, planned equipment purchases and working-capital needs.

Test your forecast against a few possibilities, such as a higher wage bill, slower customer payments or increased finance costs. This is useful preparation even if the Budget makes no change to the taxes most relevant to you.

Employment-law changes may also follow a separate timetable. A Budget headline alone will not tell you when a new workplace obligation takes effect, so check the relevant legislation and commencement date before changing your processes.

Inflation and the Cost of Living

The economic outlook matters to household budgets and business pricing. The OBR’s forecast will provide updated context, but a forecast is not a guarantee of what your own costs will do.

Review contracts coming up for renewal, borrowing arrangements and regular spending. For businesses, compare changes in costs with your margins and pricing. For households, consider how much flexibility remains after essential outgoings and planned tax payments.

How Should You Read Budget Announcements?

When a measure is announced, ask four questions:

• Is it a confirmed change, a proposal or a consultation?
• Who does it apply to?
• When does it take effect?
• Are there conditions or transitional rules?

An announcement, draft legislation and a rule already in force are different stages. The detail and start date can matter as much as the headline.

A Practical Next Step

Make a short list of decisions you expect to take over the coming months, such as recruiting, investing in equipment, drawing money from your company or retiring. Discuss any genuinely time-sensitive decision before acting, rather than assuming it should either be rushed through or postponed until Budget day.

At Radford & Sergeant, we can help you review your tax position and business finances, understand how confirmed changes affect you and plan the next step with confidence. Contact our Camberley or Reading team to discuss your circumstances.

Information checked on 2 October 2026. This article provides general information, not personalised tax, legal or investment advice. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and rules may change.