What time does the Budget 2026 announcement start?

Chancellor John Healey is expected to deliver the 2026 Budget at about 12.30pm on Wednesday in the House of Commons, after Prime Minister’s Questions. The statement will set out the government’s plans for tax and spending as it faces pressure to fund public pledges and higher military spending while managing weaker growth and rising borrowing costs.

The article says government borrowing reached £24.5 billion last month, higher than expected, squeezing the public finances. Possible measures include more than £1 billion in energy bill support for struggling households, making online marketplaces responsible for collecting tax from sellers, a levy on homes worth over £2 million and a higher surcharge on bank profits, potentially rising from 3 per cent to 8 per cent. Healey has also said he wants to reduce business costs.