World news | The Guardian
John Healey faces questions over budget leak that moved bank share prices 29 October 2026 at 15:52

John Healey faces questions over budget leak that moved bank share prices

29 October 2026 at 15:52

Treasury select committee asks FCA to investigate whether tax surcharge leak led to ‘improper release of inside information’

John Healey is facing pressure to clarify whether he permitted a market-sensitive budget leak ahead of his statement, which moved bank share prices.

The chair of the influential Commons Treasury select committe, Meg Hillier, has written to the Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority watchdog (FCA) to assess whether a story leaked to Bloomberg, and published more than an hour before the budget was revealed, led to an “improper release of inside information”.

World news | The Guardian
Lloyds executive criticises Healey for linking bank tax rises to energy bill support 29 October 2026 at 13:31

Lloyds executive criticises Healey for linking bank tax rises to energy bill support

World news | The Guardian

By: Kalyeena Makortoff Banking correspondent

29 October 2026 at 13:31

Chief financial officer says he hopes budget measure is temporary as sector provides loans that fuel growth

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A senior Lloyds Banking Group executive has criticised the chancellor for linking bank tax increases to energy bill support for UK households, as he warned the government against extending the higher levy beyond March 2028.

Lloyds’s chief financial officer, William Chalmers, acknowledged that the economic environment was “challenging” but said the government should not seek to ease pressure on households at the expense of the banking sector as it provides loans that could fuel UK growth.

World news | The Guardian
Healey poised to overturn cut to cash Isa allowance in first budget 28 October 2026 at 12:55

Healey poised to overturn cut to cash Isa allowance in first budget

World news | The Guardian

By: Julia Kollewe and Anna Isaac

28 October 2026 at 12:55

Chancellor’s predecessor Rachel Reeves had planned to reduce allowance from £20,000 to £12,000 a year from April

John Healey is to use his first budget to ditch plans to slash the annual cash Isa allowance, the Guardian understands, preferring a carrot rather than a stick to encourage people to invest more in shares.

City experts welcomed news that the chancellor will overturn a decision by his predecessor, Rachel Reeves, to cut the allowance from £20,000 to £12,000 a year from April to get more money flowing into UK company stocks.