Today’s Budget focused heavily on the cost of living and the wider economy.
Measures announced included:
- A £100 payment towards household energy costs for around 20 million households in council tax bands A to D. Similar support will be made available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Zero VAT on electricity bills until July 2027.
- Standing charges on gas bills will be scrapped from 2027, or as soon as possible after this.
- Some green levies (environmental costs) currently added to energy bills will instead be paid for through taxation.
- The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage will increase by 3.9%.
- Import taxes will be removed from more than 100 food products, including chocolate and baked beans, with the aim of helping to reduce prices.
- More businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will receive help with business rates, with the threshold increasing from £12,000 to £18,000.
- The cut in fuel duty will continue until July 2027.
- Changes to the way the State Pension increases each year were confirmed, alongside measures aimed at protecting pensioners.
- Further support was announced for social housing and building new homes.
- More funding and decision-making powers will be given to mayors and local leaders.
The Chancellor also spoke about the Government’s plans to help more people get into work and stay in work. Further changes are expected following the Government’s welfare reforms and an ongoing review looking at young people who are not currently in education, employment or training.
The review has highlighted the growing number of people whose ability to work or take part in education is affected by long-term health conditions. Recommendations are expected before the end of the year.
The Government also announced plans to make greater use of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in public services. This includes looking at how technology could help NHS staff work more efficiently and spend more time with patients.
These changes could affect how healthcare is delivered, but it is not yet clear what they will mean for patients in practice.
There were few announcements specifically relating to women’s health services. We will continue to monitor the impact of the Budget and work with policymakers to make sure the voices and needs of all those living with endometriosis are heard.
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