Healey announces £100 household payment and defence funding

Chancellor John Healey announced a £100 payment for eligible households and confirmed funding for the existing Defence Investment Plan in his first Autumn Budget, while leaving the financing path to a higher defence-spending target for a later review. The household payment is planned for homes in council tax bands A to D in England, with delivery due to begin in January 2027. The government says the scheme could reach up to 20 million households. People who pay council tax by direct debit are expected to receive the money in the same bank account; councils will need to arrange alternative methods for other eligible residents. The payment has not yet been made. The government estimates the payment package will cost £2.6 billion, funded in part by raising the bank surcharge from 3% to 6% for 15 months from January 2027. Councils in England will also receive £100 million for targeted support to households facing energy pressures who are outside the main eligibility bands. Delivery beyond England depends on decisions by devolved governments. Wales said it would also make a £100 payment to households in bands A to D, while Scotland said it would seek to replicate the scheme....