What the 2026 Autumn Budget means for women

Our exclusive financial wellbeing partners at Attivo explore what this year’s Autumn Budget could mean for women and their finances.

On 28 October 2026, John Healey presented his first Autumn Budget as Chancellor.

From household bills to work and caring for loved ones, here’s how the announcements could affect everyday life and plans for the future.

A summary of the 2026 Autumn Budget for women

1.  Helping women build businesses and careers in technology

Women can face extra hurdles in growing a business or building a technology career. Two voluntary standards, ‘Tech Forward’ and ‘Inclusive Investment’, will encourage more inclusive workplaces and fairer access to investment for women entrepreneurs.

A new UK-wide programme will also help women founders grow their businesses, building on the Investing in Women Code and Invest in Women Taskforce initiatives.

The British Business Bank has a pipeline of planned investment commitments exceeding £100 million for women-led funds, including first-time fund managers identified through Investor Pathways Capital.

2. Protecting women and girls from violence and abuse

The government is prioritising £55 million over two years to accelerate its strategy to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.

This includes £13 million in 2027–28 for law enforcement to protect victims and disrupt abusive behaviour, alongside increased funding for law enforcement and victim support in England and Wales.

3. Working together to tackle misogyny

The Office for the Impact Economy will receive £15 million to bring businesses, investors and philanthropists together to mobilise additional support for women and girls. Funding will also support the National Taskforce for Tackling Misogyny. The Chancellor additionally pledged that the government will "act soon to make sure women are paid and promoted fairly."

Other areas of the budget that could have an impact on women

1. Energy and household bills

Electricity VAT relief continues until July 2027, alongside £100 for eligible households in council tax bands A–D in England and funding elsewhere in the UK. Gas standing charges will be removed in 2027, or as soon as possible afterwards. Costs will move to unit rates, so higher-use households could pay more.

2. Support for new parents

Having a partner at home can make a real difference with a new baby.  From April 2029, planned parental-pay support will reach over 150,000 additional parents annually, including eligible self-employed fathers and partners, offering two weeks currently worth up to £194 a week. This could give women practical support and ease family finances. Detailed eligibility remains to be confirmed.

3. Support for carers

Balancing paid work with looking after someone you love can be challenging. Census 2021 shows women are more likely than men to provide unpaid care in England and Wales. From 2030 to 2031, planned changes there will mean Carer’s Allowance reduces gradually above the earnings limit, rather than stopping altogether. Until then, existing earnings rules still apply.

4. Housing and first-time buyers

Saving for a home can feel daunting. This year's Budget includes £1.5 billion more for social and affordable housing, a planned First Time Buyer ISA replacing the Lifetime ISA from April 2029, and a £4.7 billion equity-loan scheme for eligible first-time buyers in England, expected in February 2027. These could help women buy a home and ease pressure on mothers supporting adult children. Eligibility, affordability and repayment costs remain important.

5. State Pension increases

For women relying on the State Pension, annual increases can help with everyday costs. The current Triple Lock continues through April 2029. From April 2030, increases will be the highest of inflation, 2.5%, or the amount needed to maintain its April 2029 value relative to earnings — not necessarily that year’s earnings growth.

6. Reassurance for bereaved families

Dealing with a loss is hard enough without unexpected tax worries. For pension and lump sum death-benefit payments made from 28 October 2026, the government will remove the two-year rule through Finance Bill 2026–27. Women inheriting a pension could avoid an Income Tax bill caused solely by payment delays. Other tax conditions, including the member’s age at death, still matter.

7. Higher tax on savings and rental income

From 6 April 2027, basic, higher and additional rates will rise to 24%, 44% and 49% for savings income UK-wide and property income in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This could leave women using taxable interest or rent to support their income with less to spend. Any bill will depend on available allowances and individual circumstances.

8. Keeping the Cash ISA allowance

The planned Cash ISA limit cut for under-65s has been cancelled. Savers can continue putting up to £20,000 a year into Cash ISAs, less contributions to other ISAs. For women setting money aside for a rainy day or future plans, this preserves a familiar way to save without paying tax on the interest.

Let’s talk about what matters to you

There’s plenty to consider beyond the headlines. Through Attivo’s partnership with the WI, members can arrange a free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our team. It’s an opportunity to ask questions and explore your financial plans around your unique priorities.