Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:10pm on 28 Oct 2026,Wednesday International
UK Chancellor John Healey has announced a £2.6 billion support scheme providing approximately 20 million households with £100 energy payments this winter. Eligible households in council tax bands A-D will receive the money directly into their bank accounts, with funding also allocated to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Healey extended the zero per cent VAT rate on electricity bills until July, beyond its expected March 2027 expiry, and confirmed that standing charges on household gas bills would be scrapped. The 5p-per-litre fuel duty reduction will also continue until July next year. Meanwhile, the OBR forecasts UK economic growth slowing from 1.2 per cent in 2026 to 1 per cent in 2027. (PC: Firstpost)
