Wednesday 28 October 2026 · date: House of Commons Library
Autumn Budget 2026: the promises to watch
In a Budget the Chancellor sets out the government's taxes and spending. It is one of the four kinds of evidence that move a promise here: money in a Budget moves a card to Funded, and a tax change can keep or break a pledge. Only the government sets a Budget, so these are the government's promises it can still move.
- Government promises it could move
- 14
- With a stated cost
- 3
- About tax
- 2
- Opposition pledges, costed
- 4
Promises that need money
The government's promises with a stated cost and no money behind them yet, the largest first.
- Labourin government5% of GDP on national security by 2035“That is why, as part of this strategy, we make a historic commitment to spend 5% of our GDP on national security by 2035.”In planReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)DefenceCosts £32.4bn to £39.6bn a yearDue Dec 2035Keir Starmer, 24 Jun 2025
- Labourin governmentCut manufacturers’ electricity bills by up to 25%“When it comes to energy costs, our British industrial competitiveness scheme will save more than 10,000 manufacturers up to 25% of their electricity bills.”In planReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)Transport & economyCosts £0.54bn to £0.66bn a yearBlair McDougall, 9 Sep 2026
- Labourin governmentCap bus fares at £2“I’ve done it before and I will do it again now: a £2 cap on bus fares for millions across the country.”In planReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)Transport & economyCosts £0.36bn to £0.44bn a yearDue Jan 2027Andy Burnham, 22 Jul 2026
Tax pledges
A Budget keeps these or breaks them.
- Labourin governmentCap corporation tax at 25%“Labour will cap corporation tax at the current level of 25 per cent, the lowest in the G7, for the entire parliament, and we will act if tax changes in other countries pose a risk to UK competitiveness.”LegislatedReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)TaxesCost not statedDue Jul 202913 Jun 2024
- Labourin governmentNo tax rises for working people“Labour will not increase taxes on working people, which is why we will not increase National Insurance, the basic, higher, or additional rates of Income Tax, or VAT.”In planReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)TaxesCost not statedDue Jul 202913 Jun 2024
9 more government promises it could moveNo cost stated yet. Show them
- Labourin governmentPresent a mental health strategy before Christmas“This will all be considered as part of a mental health strategy that will come before this House before Christmas.”PromisedReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)HealthCost not statedDue Dec 2026Andy Burnham, 9 Sep 2026
- Labourin governmentFree unlimited bus travel for disabled people“Disabled people will now have unlimited free bus travel 24/7.”PromisedReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)Transport & economyCost not statedDue Apr 2027Andy Burnham, 18 Aug 2026
- HM Governmentin governmentAll landlords registered by 14 November 2027“All landlords actively letting property will need to have registered by 14 November 2027.”In planReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)Housing & environmentCost not statedDue Nov 20279 Sep 2026
- HM Governmentin governmentStop children taking, sharing or viewing naked pictures“New legislation will be prepared by the government to force tech companies to make it impossible for children to take, share or view naked pictures.”PromisedReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)Police, courts, prisonsCost not stated9 Sep 2026
- Labourin governmentPublish curriculum and assessment reform proposals“Our curriculum and assessment reform will go hand in hand with that ambition, and we will soon publish proposals building on the Becky Francis review.”PromisedReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)EducationCost not statedLucy Powell, 9 Sep 2026
- Labourin governmentGive mayors control of the 16-19 education budget“For the first time, mayors will have control of the 16-19 education budget, and I know that, in respect of early years and early intervention, we can transform outcomes through the power of place.”PromisedReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)EducationCost not statedLucy Powell, 9 Sep 2026
- HM Governmentin governmentFund 10 major hospital projects and maintenance“Over £200 million will fund 10 major hospital projects, while over £1.3 billion will go towards maintenance, safety and resilience improvements.”In planReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)HealthCost not stated9 Sep 2026
- Labourin governmentPublish national inclusion standards for SEND“We are developing national inclusion standards, which we will publish alongside any legislation or further steps we take on SEND.”PromisedReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)EducationCost not statedLucy Powell, 9 Sep 2026
- Labourin governmentEnact the Socio-Economic Duty“Crucially, the unit will lead the enactment of the Socio-Economic Duty, a new power in the Equality Act that will legally require public bodies to consider how to improve the lives of lower-income families as part of decisions around issues like transport, services and budgets.”PromisedReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)Social protectionCost not statedBridget Phillipson, 9 Sep 2026
For comparison: the opposition's costed pledges
The Budget cannot fund these. They show what other parties say they would do instead, costed and checked by the same rules.
- Reform UKin oppositionRaise the personal allowance to £15,000“The first Budget of a Reform government will increase the tax-free personal allowance for income tax to £15,000, beginning at the next tax year.”PromisedReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)TaxesCosts £19bn to £23.2bn a year5 Sep 2026
- Greensin oppositionPush for a wealth tax above £10 million“Elected Greens will push for a wealth tax. This will tax the wealth of individual taxpayers with assets above £10 million at 1% and assets above £1bn at 2% annually.”PromisedReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)TaxesRaises £14bn to £16bn a year12 Jun 2024
- Conservativesin oppositionAbolish stamp duty on homes“Conference, the next Conservative Government will abolish stamp duty on your home. It will be gone.”PromisedReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)TaxesCosts £8.1bn to £9.9bn a year8 Oct 2025
- Lib Demsin oppositionIntroduce free personal care, based on need“Introduce free personal care based on the model introduced by the Liberal Democrats in government in Scotland in 2002, so that provision is based on need, not ability to pay.”PromisedReviewed by AI Journalist (automated)Social protectionCosts £2.7bn to £6.6bn a year10 Jun 2024
How this page works
It lists every promise we track whose owner is in government and which has not yet been funded or started: the same rule for every party. On Budget day editors read the Budget documents and the Office for Budget Responsibility's forecast, add what changed to each card with a link to the evidence, and the card appears under “What the Budget did”. A promise moves only on evidence, never on an announcement alone.
See how the numbers are made and every promise.