Chancellor’s Autumn Budget – What It Means for Kent Businesses

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce responds to the Autumn Budget 2025, delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves earlier today.

The Chancellor announced a package of measures aimed at stabilising public finances and supporting growth, including £26 billion in tax increases and £11.3 billion in targeted spending. Key highlights include:

Tax Measures:

• Freeze on personal income tax thresholds extended until 2030–31, expected to raise £8.3 billion annually.
• Introduction of a mansion tax on properties over £2 million, plus higher dividend tax rates and new levies on online gambling.
• Reform of ISAs: from April 2027, £8,000 of the £20,000 allowance must be invested in stocks and shares.
• National Insurance to apply to salary-sacrifice pension contributions above £2,000 from 2029.

Cost of Living & Business Support:

• Average household energy bills cut by £150 from April 2026.
• Freeze on regulated rail fares and prescription charges for one year.
• National Minimum Wage to rise by 4.1% to £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21+.

Welfare & Social Policy:

• Two-child benefit cap scrapped from April 2026, a move expected to reduce child poverty significantly.

Investment & Growth:

• Increased funding for NHS infrastructure and neighbourhood health centres.
• Commitments to green energy and council housing projects.

The Chamber will continue to analyse the full Budget document and provide guidance to members on how these changes may impact their operations, workforce planning, and investment decisions.