Government website crashes within minutes of Chancellor John Healey promising households a £100 energy payment in his Budget
John Healey's Budget scraps standing charges on gas bills and extends the VAT holiday on electricity to July, though the gas change will not take effect before 2027.John Healey's Budget hands HMRC sweeping new powers to deduct overdue tax directly from bank accounts without taxpayer agreement.
John Healey, the former defence secretary turned Chancellor, delivered a deliberately cautious first Budget that promised "breathing space" for households battling the Iran-war-driven cost of living squeeze, while pushing the thorniest spending decisions to next year's spending review.
The 3% defence spending target was confirmed but left entirely unfunded, with Healey offering no detail on how the money will be found.
Households in council tax bands A to D will receive a £100 energy payment through to spring, VAT on electricity bills is extended to July, and standing charges on gas bills are to be scrapped.
