Healey’s Budget Sparks Debate Over Wage Pledges, Green Targets and Defence Spending

How it unfolded

Every source in the order it published, with the odds on John Healey at that moment. A dash means the source published before we started tracking prices.

1. 11 Oct, 06:00Bloomberg MarketsHealey Plans Short-Term UK Budget Giveaways to Limit Fiscal Pain19%
2. 11 Oct, 23:01Bloomberg MarketsHealey Needs £35 Billion to Meet UK Spending Plans, IFS Says19%
3. 11 Oct, 23:01News FeedHealey’s Budget will be ‘fiction’ without plan for £35bn hole in spending, IFS warns19%
4. 12 Oct, 04:00The GuardianIFS: budget will be ‘work of fiction’ without clear plan to cover UK spending pressures19%
5. 12 Oct, 07:13Bloomberg.comUK Chancellor Healey Must Find £35B Ahead of Budget, IFS Warns19%
6. 13 Oct, 06:49The GuardianHealey should ‘stay the course’ and repair UK finances, says top IMF economist19%
7. 13 Oct, 09:06News FeedHealey rejects calls to equalise capital gains and income tax rates19%
8. 13 Oct, 09:56Bloomberg MarketsWhy Heavily Indebted Britain Is Getting Praise From the IMF19%
9. 13 Oct, 16:13Bloomberg.comChancellor John Healey’s UK Budget Enters the Final Straight19%
10. 14 Oct, 04:00News FeedHealey set to pay for Budget giveaways without more borrowing19%
11. Show 194 later sources

    1. 14 Oct, 07:42The Guardian BusinessJohn Healey ‘targets tax crackdown on online marketplaces’ in first budget19%
    2. 14 Oct, 11:04BBC BusinessFaisal Islam: What surprise praise for UK economy tells us about the Budget19%
    3. 14 Oct, 11:41Bloomberg MarketsCould A 'Beige' Budget Could Be Good For The UK?19%
    4. 14 Oct, 16:31News FeedHealey’s Budget is a moment he must not miss19%
    5. 15 Oct, 05:00The GuardianUK households have paid extra £13,961 on bills since 2021 amid soaring inflation, TUC says19%
    6. 15 Oct, 06:01News FeedUK economy grew 0.1 per cent in August19%
    7. 15 Oct, 06:05The GuardianUK economy unexpectedly grows 0.1% in August despite fall in consumer spending19%
    8. 15 Oct, 06:42BBC BusinessUK economy grew 0.1% in August ahead of Healey's first Budget19%
    9. 15 Oct, 07:17Bloomberg.comUK Economy Grows Ahead of Budget in Shift From Services to Manufacturing19%
    10. 15 Oct, 08:45Bloomberg MarketsHealy Says Budget Will Protect UK Economic 'Resilience'19%
    11. 15 Oct, 08:45Bloomberg MarketsHealey Says Budget Will Protect UK Economic 'Resilience'19%
    12. 15 Oct, 09:09News FeedHealey promises to ‘stay the path’ on reducing UK deficit19%
    13. 15 Oct, 11:33The GuardianJohn Healey vows to give ‘breathing space’ to consumers and businesses in first budget19%
    14. 15 Oct, 12:20News FeedCalls to scrap employer UK national insurance for under-25s rejected19%
    15. 15 Oct, 16:00The GuardianJohn Healey poised to raise taxes on banks in budget19%
    16. 15 Oct, 17:22News FeedHealey signals Budget bank tax raid19%
    17. 16 Oct, 06:23The Guardian BusinessJohn Healey set to raise bank taxes in the budget – business live19%
    18. 16 Oct, 07:11Bloomberg.comUK Chancellor John Healey to Raise Bank Taxes at Budget to Fund Economic Support19%
    19. 16 Oct, 15:33The GuardianTarget pensions or welfare, not banks, IMF tells John Healey19%
    20. 16 Oct, 16:52The Guardian BusinessThe Guardian view on the banks: too big to fail cannot mean too big to tax | Editorial19%
    21. 18 Oct, 10:22BBC BusinessWhat is the Budget and what could be in it?19%
    22. 18 Oct, 13:48News FeedTreasury introduces new security measures in bid to stop UK Budget leaks19%
    23. 19 Oct, 06:10Bloomberg MarketsUK Debt Is a Buy for Traders Betting on a Play-It-Safe Budget19%
    24. 19 Oct, 22:22News FeedHealey rules out increasing capital gains tax in the Budget19%
    25. 20 Oct, 01:31BBC BusinessChancellor rejects calls to raise Capital Gains Tax in Budget19%
    26. 20 Oct, 06:51Bloomberg MarketsUK Jobs Data, Wage Growth Strengthens Case for Bank of England Rate Hikes19%
    27. 20 Oct, 06:51News FeedUK job vacancies slide over the summer19%
    28. 20 Oct, 07:27The GuardianHealey to reject calls to raise capital gains tax in budget19%
    29. 20 Oct, 07:47The GuardianBadenoch says Healey’s budget will be worse than Reeves’s if he doesn’t slash spending – UK politics live19%
    30. 20 Oct, 08:00The Guardian BusinessA modest increase in bank taxes is not the end of the world for lenders | Nils Pratley19%
    31. 20 Oct, 08:45Bloomberg MarketsUK Unemployment Drops Ahead of Healey's Budget (Video)19%
    32. 20 Oct, 13:22BBC PoliticsLabour will not have the courage to cut spending, says Badenoch19%
    33. 20 Oct, 16:15News FeedBritain’s budget should build on its economic resilience19%
    34. 21 Oct, 04:00News FeedThe people shaping the Budget19%
    35. 21 Oct, 04:00News FeedHealey squashes hopes of visa for wealthy in UK Budget19%
    36. 21 Oct, 06:09Bloomberg MarketsUK Borrowing Exceeds Forecast in Final Data Before Budget19%
    37. 21 Oct, 06:10News FeedUK government borrowing rises to £24.5bn ahead of Budget19%
    38. 21 Oct, 06:48The GuardianUK government borrowing rises to £24.5bn as John Healey prepares for budget19%
    39. 21 Oct, 10:20BBC BusinessFaisal Islam: Inflation and borrowing figures illustrate chancellor's Budget challenge19%
    40. 22 Oct, 08:03The GuardianChancellor to pitch budget at wealth creators – UK politics live19%
    41. 22 Oct, 08:04The Guardian BusinessYou be the chancellor: play our budget game to see if you can balance the books19%
    42. 22 Oct, 11:33News FeedRapid UK pay growth adds to pressure on Healey over minimum wage19%
    43. 22 Oct, 12:59The EconomistMeet John Healey, Britain’s bald fraud19%
    44. 22 Oct, 12:59The EconomistBritain’s welfare state is living on borrowed time19%
    45. 22 Oct, 14:25Bloomberg.comUK Banks Face Tax Hikes as Labour Searches for Revenue19%
    46. 22 Oct, 16:25News FeedNumber of UK founders choosing to sell not scale hits eight-year high19%
    47. 23 Oct, 05:00News FeedHealey to promise end of ‘pointless paperwork’ for small UK companies19%
    48. 23 Oct, 06:15Bloomberg MarketsRathbones Warms to Longer UK Gilts on Bets for Budget Discipline19%
    49. 23 Oct, 23:01News FeedJohn Healey to give £20bn boost to UK’s business lender and infrastructure bank19%
    50. 24 Oct, 04:00News FeedA little bit of luck is lifting UK Budget expectations19%
    51. 24 Oct, 05:00The GuardianJohn Healey pledges to use budget to harness power of AI to bolster Britain’s security19%
    52. 24 Oct, 07:00The Guardian BusinessFive key tax talking points before next week’s budget19%
    53. 24 Oct, 09:00The Guardian BusinessCan John Healey make a dent in the cost of living crisis in his first budget?19%
    54. 24 Oct, 21:30The Guardian BusinessHealey’s first budget to include big devolution package to boost growth19%
    55. 25 Oct, 05:00News FeedConservatives and Reform ready their attacks on Healey’s Budget19%
    56. 25 Oct, 06:00BBC PoliticsFour ways Labour could raise money in the Budget without hiking income tax19%
    57. 25 Oct, 06:21BBC BusinessBudget 2026: No more fat to trim for 'squeezed middle'19%
    58. 25 Oct, 18:16News FeedBritain will not join Canada-led defence bank19%
    59. 25 Oct, 19:35The GuardianHas Healey’s military-style budget secrecy really played out so differently to past budgets?19%
    60. 25 Oct, 22:30News FeedBurnham promises Budget cash to end rough sleeping19%
    61. 25 Oct, 23:04Bloomberg.comUK Firms Optimistic Healey Will Remove Levies From Energy Bills19%
    62. 26 Oct, 00:26BBC BusinessHealey's Budget needs to sustain the stronger economy through gathering clouds19%
    63. 26 Oct, 05:00News Feed‘Do no harm’ — what gilt investors want from Healey in the Budget19%
    64. 26 Oct, 07:48Bloomberg MarketsUK Budget Preview: Burnham and Healey’s Grip on Gilts and Business Tested19%
    65. 26 Oct, 09:30News FeedFive big challenges John Healey is likely to kick down the road19%
    66. 26 Oct, 09:47BBC PoliticsHealey to shield low-income pensioners from income tax in the Budget19%
    67. 26 Oct, 13:25The Guardian BusinessHealey is expected to shield low-income pensioners from income tax – but how will it work?19%
    68. 26 Oct, 22:30BBC BusinessHealey vows cheaper marmalade and gherkins in pre-Budget package of 'everyday fixes'19%
    69. 26 Oct, 22:30News FeedHealey focuses Budget on ‘everyday fixes’ as energy costs bite19%
    70. 26 Oct, 23:19News FeedHealey poised to increase adult minimum wage in UK Budget19%
    71. 27 Oct, 17:41The Guardian BusinessThe chancellor’s pet PuFins have an important role – but they need more scrutiny | Nils Pratley19%
    72. 27 Oct, 18:15The Guardian BusinessBudget 2026: six charts that reveal the economic realities facing the chancellor19%
    73. 27 Oct, 18:23BBC PoliticsHealey to promise £15m to tackle misogyny in Budget19%
    74. 27 Oct, 18:23News FeedBritain is trying to cut its deficit quickly — can it do it on tax rises alone?19%
    75. 27 Oct, 19:12BBC PoliticsWhat do we know about Chancellor John Healey?19%
    76. 27 Oct, 19:41BBC PoliticsChris Mason: Budget needs to go some way towards delivering PM's promises19%
    77. 27 Oct, 22:30News FeedHealey puts UK energy reform at centre of his ‘do no harm’ Budget19%
    78. 27 Oct, 22:34The GuardianChancellor targets cost of living crisis in budget for a ‘difficult moment’19%
    79. 27 Oct, 22:39News FeedHealey to reverse cuts to cash Isa allowances19%
    80. 27 Oct, 23:04BBC BusinessPlaid demands more cash, but how could the Budget affect Wales?19%
    81. 28 Oct, 00:30News FeedIn his first Budget, chancellor Healey promises cheaper gherkins19%
    82. 28 Oct, 05:00News FeedThe FT Budget quiz: How does Britain compare?19%
    83. 28 Oct, 05:00News FeedBritain needs a coherent economic strategy — can Healey deliver one?19%
    84. 28 Oct, 06:00The GuardianWhat to expect from John Healey’s first budget: who wins, who pays?19%
    85. 28 Oct, 06:43The GuardianWednesday briefing: We asked you - what do you want from the Burnham government’s first budget?19%
    86. 28 Oct, 06:55Bloomberg.comUK Budget Live Updates: Pound Sinks Below $1.33 Ahead of Healey's Speech19%
    87. 28 Oct, 07:04News FeedJohn Healey to take aim at energy costs in his first Budget19%
    88. 28 Oct, 07:07Bloomberg MarketsHealey to Scrap UK’s Standing Charges on Gas Bills19%
    89. 28 Oct, 07:12BBC PoliticsWhat to expect from this year's Budget19%
    90. 28 Oct, 07:42Bloomberg MarketsUK Budget Day: Here's What to Expect From Healey19%
    91. 28 Oct, 08:50The GuardianBudget 2026 live: chancellor says scrapping of gas standing charges will save 60% of homes £45 a year19%
    92. 28 Oct, 09:05The New York TimesHow to Tax and Spend in a ‘Turbulent Time?’ U.K. Tries a Balancing Act.19%
    93. 28 Oct, 09:54BBC BusinessFormer Conservative chancellor unsure Budget will 'fix big problems'19%
    94. 28 Oct, 09:55The GuardianHealey poised to overturn cut to cash Isa allowance in first budget19%
    95. 28 Oct, 10:29BBC PoliticsWhat do you want from the Budget?19%
    96. 28 Oct, 10:42Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al JazeeraBurnham’s government unveils its first UK budget: What to expect19%
    97. 28 Oct, 11:05Bloomberg MarketsPimco Would Welcome 2027 UK Fiscal Deficit of Around 3.5%19%
    98. 28 Oct, 12:40The Guardian BusinessBudget 2026: key points at a glance19%
    99. 28 Oct, 12:57BBC BusinessJohn Healey pays homage to predecessor Rachel Reeves19%
    100. 28 Oct, 13:13BBC BusinessChancellor begins to deliver his first Budget19%
    101. 28 Oct, 13:17The GuardianBudget 2026: John Healey offers £100 payment to households to help navigate ‘global economic storms’19%
    102. 28 Oct, 13:28News FeedBudget in brief: what you need to know19%
    103. 28 Oct, 13:45BBC BusinessYour pay, energy bills and savings: How the Budget affects you19%
    104. 28 Oct, 13:55Bloomberg.comHealey Unveils New 10% Tax Rate for Entrepreneurs19%
    105. 28 Oct, 14:06BBC PoliticsBadenoch: Budget 'does not come close to meeting the moment'19%
    106. 28 Oct, 14:19Bloomberg MarketsHealey Raises UK Banks Tax, Vows to Keep Finances Stable (Video)19%
    107. 28 Oct, 14:19The GuardianOBR slashes UK growth forecast for 2027 despite Healey’s budget measures19%
    108. 28 Oct, 14:37News FeedHealey hits banks and savers with tax rises in Budget ‘for working people’19%
    109. 28 Oct, 14:50Bloomberg MarketsJohn Healey’s First UK Budget: What It Means for Markets19%
    110. 28 Oct, 15:00BBC PoliticsWhat are the standout points from the Budget?19%
    111. 28 Oct, 15:01The Guardian BusinessIncome tax: Healey’s budget leaves thresholds frozen again. How much more will you pay?19%
    112. 28 Oct, 15:06News FeedHealey delivers a Budget with echoes of Reeves19%
    113. 28 Oct, 15:27News FeedHealey avoids bond market wobble with ‘uneventful’ first Budget19%
    114. 28 Oct, 15:39The Guardian BusinessWill John Healey’s ‘breathing space’ budget deliver what Britain needs? Our panel responds | Panel19%
    115. 28 Oct, 16:12BBC PoliticsWatch: What are the key points from the Budget and how will they be funded?19%
    116. 28 Oct, 16:16News FeedWhat the Budget means for your money19%
    117. 28 Oct, 16:22The Guardian BusinessLabour's 2026 budget in under three minutes – video19%
    118. 28 Oct, 16:39News FeedBank of England able to take UK Budget in its stride despite slippage in deficit reduction19%
    119. 28 Oct, 16:52BBC PoliticsChris Mason: Budget felt cautious despite its range of small measures19%
    120. 28 Oct, 17:04BillboardU.K. Music Industry Praises Government’s Tax Relief for Venues, But Wants It to ‘Go Further’ With Extra Support19%
    121. 28 Oct, 17:10The Guardian BusinessBudget 2026 calculator: find out if you are better or worse off19%
    122. 28 Oct, 17:23News FeedWhy small-fry Budget measures can still have a big impact19%
    123. 28 Oct, 17:32BBC PoliticsHealey tells departments to make 1% cuts to fund defence19%
    124. 28 Oct, 17:32BBC BusinessDharshini David: Healey buys himself some time, but big questions still unanswered19%
    125. 28 Oct, 17:37The GuardianBudget winners and losers: pensioners and households gain as bankers and betting shops hit19%
    126. 28 Oct, 18:14The Guardian BusinessBudget 2026: what it means for you19%
    127. 28 Oct, 18:19The Guardian BusinessBurnham promised big change – where was it? Instead we got the Martin Lewis budget | Aditya Chakrabortty19%
    128. 28 Oct, 18:20The Guardian BusinessWill Healey’s budget tackle the cost of living? – podcast19%
    129. 28 Oct, 18:21The GuardianNigel Farage skips budget in Commons over seating ‘altercation’ concerns19%
    130. 28 Oct, 18:21The Guardian BusinessHe promised fresh hope and delivered doom, but Dr Death’s budget succeeds in doing no harm | John Crace19%
    131. 28 Oct, 18:26The Guardian BusinessBills, banks, ‘breathing space’: what was in Burnham’s first budget? - The Latest19%
    132. 28 Oct, 18:40News FeedBritain’s Budget buys time but ducks the hard choices19%
    133. 28 Oct, 18:42News Feed‘Is that it?’: Opposition parties attack Healey for lack of ambition19%
    134. 28 Oct, 18:45BBC PoliticsHealey unveils £100 for energy bills and bank tax in first Budget19%
    135. 28 Oct, 18:46Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al JazeeraFive key takeaways from the UK Autumn Budget19%
    136. 28 Oct, 19:01The Guardian BusinessThe Guardian view on Labour’s budget: bold ambitions and welcome first steps | Editorial19%
    137. 28 Oct, 19:07News FeedHealey fiddles while the UK stagnates19%
    138. 28 Oct, 19:11The Guardian BusinessLabour is still searching for an energy fix for a new world19%
    139. 28 Oct, 19:18News FeedCan John Healey deliver on his promise of fiscal discipline?19%
    140. 28 Oct, 19:33The Guardian BusinessBudget briefing: the key questions answered by Heather Stewart and Pippa Crerar19%
    141. 28 Oct, 19:51News FeedHealey praised business. The feeling was not mutual19%
    142. 28 Oct, 20:09The Guardian BusinessBudget 2026: Healey hikes taxes on banks and landlords to fund £100 handouts to 20m households19%
    143. 28 Oct, 21:22BBC PoliticsWhat does John Healey's budget mean for Scotland?19%
    144. 29 Oct, 00:30News FeedUK chancellor John Healey unveils Budget19%
    145. 29 Oct, 05:00The Guardian Business‘There has to be a bolder shift’: retail and hospitality businesses assess relief in budget19%
    146. 29 Oct, 05:00The GuardianHow will John Healey’s energy support package affect you?19%
    147. 29 Oct, 05:00The Guardian‘The more you earn, the less you keep’: readers react to the budget19%
    148. 29 Oct, 05:57BBC PoliticsHealey promises reduction in welfare bill before next election19%
    149. 29 Oct, 06:00Bloomberg MarketsHealey Defends UK Budget, Warns 'Tough Decisions' Ahead19%
    150. 29 Oct, 06:27BBC Business'We need help for small businesses, not punishment'19%
    151. 29 Oct, 06:51News FeedHealey pledges to cut welfare spending as he defends Budget19%
    152. 29 Oct, 06:56BBC BusinessChancellor says government has 'moral duty' to help young people out of work19%
    153. 29 Oct, 07:07Bloomberg.comHealey Defends UK Budget, Tech Rally Falters, More19%
    154. 29 Oct, 07:26Bloomberg.comUK Chancellor Defends Budget, LLoyds Pretax Profit Beat, More19%
    155. 29 Oct, 07:30News FeedLloyds profits surge as UK lender buoyed by higher rates19%
    156. 29 Oct, 07:32Bloomberg MarketsUK Budget Is Bond-Friendly But Healey Warns of Hard Decisions Ahead19%
    157. 29 Oct, 07:51The Guardian BusinessHealey’s £4.4bn cost living support package ‘badly targeted,’ says Resolution Foundation – business live19%
    158. 29 Oct, 07:54The GuardianHealey vows to cut welfare bill before next election with ‘tough’ approach to young people19%
    159. 29 Oct, 08:00The GuardianReader Q&A: Our money and economics correspondents answer your Budget 2026 questions19%
    160. 29 Oct, 08:33Bloomberg.comHealey Defends Scale of UK Budget, SocGen Equities Beat, More19%
    161. 29 Oct, 08:36The GuardianHealey accused of a ‘complete failure’ to target energy bill support at those most in need – UK politics live19%
    162. 29 Oct, 08:37The Guardian‘Scattergun’ budget will still leave Britons facing higher energy bills, says leading thinktank19%
    163. 29 Oct, 08:40Bloomberg MarketsCan Chancellor Healey's Budget Aid Britain's Founders? (Video)19%
    164. 29 Oct, 09:30News FeedHealey scatters the pain far and wide19%
    165. 29 Oct, 09:57Bloomberg MarketsHealey's Budget Placates Gilt Markets, Santander Says (Video)19%
    166. 29 Oct, 10:31The Guardian BusinessLloyds executive criticises Healey for linking bank tax rises to energy bill support19%
    167. 29 Oct, 11:47Bloomberg MarketsAI Trade Shows New Cracks, Healey Defends UK Budget’s Scale19%
    168. 29 Oct, 12:52The GuardianJohn Healey faces questions over budget leak that moved bank share prices19%
    169. 29 Oct, 13:00News FeedHousebuilding is the best way to address the UK’s cost of living crisis19%
    170. 29 Oct, 13:07Bloomberg MarketsDefense Gets Most Mentions in UK Budget Since World War Two19%
    171. 29 Oct, 13:47The GuardianHealey’s budget paves way for ‘brutal’ spending review next year, warns IFS19%
    172. 29 Oct, 14:45BBC PoliticsEconomist and former Burnham advisor scores Budget 4 out of 1019%
    173. 29 Oct, 14:52BBC BusinessThe South West reacts to Budget announcements19%
    174. 29 Oct, 14:58BBC BusinessFaisal Islam: The 10-year plan will have to fill the gaps from this 'micro Budget'19%
    175. 29 Oct, 15:07News FeedHealey commits to set out benefits cuts this year19%
    176. 29 Oct, 16:11The GuardianThe ‘breathing space budget’ – breathing space for the government, that is | John Crace19%
    177. 29 Oct, 17:19Bloomberg.comBritain’s Tax Burden May Reach Its Limit Under Labour Chancellor Healey19%
    178. 29 Oct, 18:13News FeedJohn Healey’s Budget spending plans strain credibility, economists warn19%
    179. 29 Oct, 20:02The GuardianHealey backs away from cutting welfare cost despite warnings of public finance shortfall19%
    180. 30 Oct, 05:00Bloomberg MarketsBritain Tests the Limits With Plan to Tax Its Way Out of Debt19%
    181. 30 Oct, 05:00News FeedHealey criticised after raiding contingency funds for defence19%
    182. 30 Oct, 10:00The GuardianHealey’s budget cuts mean Britain is likely to miss green heating targets19%
    183. 30 Oct, 13:35News FeedA Budget disastrously lacking in urgency19%
    184. 30 Oct, 17:11The Guardian BusinessThis budget fails to live up to Andy Burnham’s grand rhetoric | Letters19%
    185. 30 Oct, 18:20News FeedHealey buys time with ‘pray and delay’ Budget as tough challenges lie ahead19%
    186. 31 Oct, 05:00News FeedEntrepreneurs question Budget rhetoric on relief and red tape19%
    187. 31 Oct, 07:00The Guardian BusinessBudget 2026: how to beat the new savings tax rates19%
    188. 31 Oct, 11:48The GuardianHealey to veto new offshore wind projects if they will not lower bills19%
    189. 31 Oct, 12:00News FeedBudget frees London to go on £10bn borrowing spree, says Sadiq Khan19%
    190. 31 Oct, 15:00The GuardianA world-first focus on long-term outcomes could transform UK government – or create new spending fights19%
    191. 31 Oct, 16:00The Guardian BusinessBritain’s housing crisis won’t be fixed without a new tax landscape19%
    192. 31 Oct, 17:26BBC PoliticsLaura Kuenssberg: Healey risks breaking minimum wage promise for younger workers19%
    193. 1 Nov, 11:52The GuardianChancellor fails to guarantee minimum wage pledge for younger workers19%
    194. 1 Nov, 14:50News FeedUnions hit out after Healey signals delay to youth minimum wage pledge19%
12. NowCurrent odds19%