Autumn Budget 2026: the date, and the business taxes in force before it

The confirmed Budget date, and the business rates and employer National Insurance that apply until the Chancellor announces any change.

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By Branch² Intelligence Desk · Checked against primary sources 11 October 2026

A Budget can change the costs a small business pays for its premises, its staff and its borrowing. Before it lands, the useful baseline is what is in force today, so you can see what any announcement changes.

We found no officially pre-announced Budget measures for small businesses when we checked these sources. We do not publish speculation about what the Budget will contain.

The date

• Confirmed date The Office for Budget Responsibility forecast will be published on 28 October 2026, accompanied by the Budget. [1]
  What the source says

  an economic and fiscal forecast for publication on 28 October 2026. This will be accompanied by the Budget.

• Confirmed date The government announced the Budget for Wednesday 28th October. [2]
  What the source says

  the date of my first Budget as Chancellor will be Wednesday 28th October

Business rates in England, 2026/27

• In force The standard business rates multiplier is 48.0p and the small business multiplier is 43.2p. [3]
  What the source says

  Standard non-domestic rating multiplier: 48.0p (0.48) as found by calculation of the formula in paragraph A3 of Schedule 7 to the 1988 Act, Small business non-domestic rating multiplier: 43.2p (0.432)

• In force The small business multiplier applies to properties with a rateable value that does not exceed £50,999. [3]
  What the source says

  Ratepayers who occupy a property with a rateable value which does not exceed £50,999 will have their bills calculated using the lower small business non-domestic rating multiplier

• In force Retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties have their own standard multiplier of 43.0p. [3]
  What the source says

  Standard RHL multiplier: 43.0p (0.43)

• In force The small business retail, hospitality and leisure multiplier is 38.2p. [3]
  What the source says

  Small business RHL multiplier: 38.2p (0.382)

• In force A high-value multiplier of 50.8p applies to properties with rateable values of £500,000 and above. [3]
  What the source says

  High-value multiplier: 50.8p (0.508) … a high-value multiplier for properties with rateable values of £500,000 and above

Employer National Insurance, 2026 to 2027

• In force The employer secondary threshold is £96 per week, £417 per month or £5,000 per year. [4]
  What the source says

  Secondary threshold £96 per week £417 per month £5,000 per year

• In force The Employment Allowance for 2026 to 2027 is £10,500. [4]
  What the source says

  Employment Allowance for 2026 to 2027 is £10,500.

What the engine is tracking now

The indexed analyses our engine has written on these costs, newest first. Each one shows its chain and its source.

• Ex-Barclays traders jailed for rigging interest rates have convictions quashed 2026-10-07
• The Governor of the Bank of England discussed the impact of rising energy prices on inflation and monetary policy during a broadcast interview, emphasizing the challenges posed by ongoing geopolitical conflicts. 2026-09-17
• The Japanese yen's appreciation has led traders to consider the Chinese yuan and Canadian dollar for carry trades, as the yen strengthens against the dollar following expectations of potential interest rate hikes by Japan's central bank. 2026-09-14
• Britons are potentially losing out on additional interest income by keeping their savings in accounts with low interest rates, allowing banks and building societies to profit. 2026-08-25
• Investec has increased the interest rate on its two-year fixed savings account, making it a new best buy option for savers. 2026-08-24

The costs behind this briefing: Tariffs and import costs: what the engine tracks · Interest rates and borrowing costs: what the engine tracks · Wage costs: what the engine tracks.

Next update. We will update this page with the measures that affect small businesses after the Budget is published on 28 October 2026.

Sources

Every figure and date above was checked against these primary sources on 11 October 2026.

1. HM Treasury — Chancellor's letter to the Treasury Committee on the Budget 2026 date — https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a6ca841bf4a7aca8f8977b5/TSC_-_Budget_2026.pdf
2. GOV.UK — Budget to move power and money out of Westminster — https://www.gov.uk/government/news/budget-to-move-power-and-money-out-of-westminster-and-into-every-postcode-around-britain
3. MHCLG — Notification of non-domestic rating multipliers for 2026/27 — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/22026-notification-of-non-domestic-rating-multipliers-for-202627/22026-notification-of-non-domestic-rating-multipliers-for-202627
4. GOV.UK — Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027 — https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rates-and-thresholds-for-employers-2026-to-2027

Automated analysis for information only. Not investment advice. Read the full disclaimer. How we work: methodology · editorial policy.