Healey pledges budget measures to cut energy bills as SNP calls for £300 relief
Healey will announce a fuel duty freeze and longer‑term reforms, as the SNP leader presses for £300 bill cuts.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Chancellor John Healey is set to deliver his first budget on 28 October, promising measures to cut energy bills “for good”, while Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has urged the Chancellor to honour Labour’s manifesto pledge of a £300 reduction.
What happened
Healey, speaking in a video message before the autumn statement, said the budget will include a freeze on fuel duty and longer‑term reforms aimed at making Britain more resilient to global shocks, including the ongoing Iran war. He framed the budget as “breathing space for today and fresh hope for the future”.
In an exclusive interview with the Press Association from India, SNP leader John Swinney warned that without substantial support the budget would be “just like all the failed budgets” of the previous Labour government. He called on Healey to deliver a £300 cut to household energy bills, citing the Labour 2024 election manifesto.
What the reports add
Standard.co.uk reported Swinney’s demand for “substantial support” and his criticism of the previous budget, while the Independent detailed Healey’s promised fuel‑duty freeze and his emphasis on resilience amid the Iran conflict. The Independent’s account mirrors a separate Standard.co.uk business story that repeats Healey’s statements about the budget’s focus on long‑term reforms.
What was said
John Healey told the Independent, “Breathing space for today and fresh hope for the future. That’s what today’s Budget will deliver.” He added that the world is “a highly uncertain place” with conflicts pushing up energy prices.
John Swinney told the Press Association, as quoted by the Standard, “The Chancellor, at the very least, has got to fulfil Labour’s election commitment to deliver energy bills that are £300 lower than when Labour came to office.” He warned that current bills are higher than they were when Labour took power.
How it came about
Healey’s budget comes after the Tony Blair Institute urged the government to swap the Clean Power 2030 plan for a cheaper power mission, a recommendation reported by Felo on 27 October (cheaper‑power‑mission‑uk‑budget). Earlier opposition pressure, including calls for Rosebank oil approval and tax cuts, was noted in Felo’s coverage on 25 October. The broader fiscal context includes IFS warnings that the budget must address a £35 billion gap, as reported on 12 October.
Key facts
- Healey promises to cut energy bills "for good" in his first budget (independent.co.uk)
- Healey plans a freeze on fuel duty as part of the budget (independent.co.uk)
- SNP First Minister John Swinney urges a £300 reduction in household energy bills (standard.co.uk)
- Healey frames the budget as providing "breathing space for today and fresh hope for the future" (independent.co.uk)
Timeline
- 2026-10-21 — Ofgem raises price cap 3.6% to £1,723
- 2026-10-22 — Healey announces budget will cut business costs and support entrepreneurs
- 2026-10-27 — Tony Blair Institute recommends cheaper power mission
- 2026-10-28 — Healey delivers first budget, includes fuel duty freeze and energy‑bill measures
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk
- [2] independent.co.uk
- [3] standard.co.uk
