Healey Budget offers energy support amid growth concerns

John Healey’s first Budget combined a £100 energy-bill payment for eligible households with changes to taxes and business rates, while drawing criticism over support for firms and the outlook for household incomes. The payment is for households in council tax bands A to D. Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended the Budget, saying it would help 20 million households with energy costs and remove 70,000 businesses from business rates. The Budget also retains the £20,000 annual Cash ISA allowance after the Government abandoned a planned reduction, while tax rates on savings interest held outside tax-free accounts are due to rise from April 2027. Rain Newton-Smith, chief executive of the Confederation of British Industry, said the measures lacked bold steps to help firms invest, hire and grow. She said UK businesses were already paying energy bills a third higher than their European counterparts, with prices expected to rise further next year. The Federation of Small Businesses also criticised the package, saying it did not sufficiently address energy costs or hiring expenses. The Budget includes a temporary 15-month increase in the bank surcharge from 3% to 6%, a 3.9% rise in the...