What Time Is the Budget’ Every autumn, one date dominates the UK news cycle: Budget day. This year, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey, will deliver the 2026 Autumn Budget on Wednesday, 28 October, marking his first Budget since being appointed Chancellor. If you’re wondering exactly what time the Budget starts, how long it lasts, and where to watch it, here’s everything you need to know.
What Time Does the Budget Start?
The Budget statement traditionally begins at approximately 12:30pm, immediately after Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) concludes in the House of Commons. PMQs runs from 12:00pm to 12:30pm every sitting Wednesday, and the Chancellor takes the floor as soon as the Speaker calls them, meaning the Budget speech itself typically kicks off right on the half-hour. While the exact start time for the 2026 Budget hadn’t been formally published at the time of writing, this 12:30pm slot has been the standard pattern for years, including for the most recent Autumn Budget in November 2025.
How Long Does the Budget Speech Last?
Budget speeches typically run for around an hour, though the length varies depending on the Chancellor and the scale of the announcements. Historically, speech lengths have varied wildly — the longest Budget speech on record was delivered by William Gladstone in 1853 and ran for four hours and 45 minutes, while the shortest, given by Benjamin Disraeli in 1867, lasted just 45 minutes. Modern Budgets tend to sit somewhere around the one-hour mark, followed immediately by a response from the Leader of the Opposition.
Why Is the Budget Always on a Wednesday?
Why Is the Budget Always on a Wednesday?The Budget is scheduled for a Wednesday because that’s when PMQs takes place, guaranteeing the House of Commons — and the national media — is already paying close attention. Slotting the Budget straight after PMQs maximises coverage and ensures MPs from all parties are present in the chamber to hear the statement live.
What Happens Before the Speech?
On the morning of Budget day, the Chancellor is traditionally photographed outside 11 Downing Street holding up the red Budget box, which contains notes for the speech. This photocall has become one of the most recognisable images in British politics, dating back over a century. From Downing Street, the Chancellor travels to Parliament to deliver the statement in the Commons chamber.
What Does the Budget Actually Cover?
The Budget is the government’s main statement on the economy, setting out the state of the public finances and any proposed changes to taxation and spending. Alongside the Chancellor’s speech, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) publishes its independent economic and fiscal forecast on the same day, giving an outside assessment of growth, inflation, borrowing, and the public finances. HM Treasury also releases a detailed policy costings document once the speech concludes.
For the 2026 Budget specifically, speculation has centred on possible changes to income tax thresholds, the future of duty freezes on fuel, and the continuation of a temporary VAT cut on domestic electricity bills introduced earlier in the year. As always, though, nothing is confirmed until the Chancellor actually stands up at the despatch box.
Where Can You Watch the Budget Live?
The Budget statement is broadcast live and free to watch through several channels:
- Parliament Live – the official livestream from UK Parliament, including a British Sign Language interpreted version
- BBC iPlayer and BBC News – rolling coverage with expert commentary
- Major news broadcasters – Sky News, ITV News, and others typically carry it live alongside instant analysis
Live text commentary and reaction threads are also widely available on most major UK news websites as the speech unfolds.
What Happens After the Speech?
Once the Chancellor finishes speaking, the Leader of the Opposition responds immediately with a rebuttal, followed by several days of Commons debate on the Budget Resolutions. Some tax changes — commonly duty on alcohol or tobacco — can take effect from Budget day itself under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act. Most other measures, including income tax and National Insurance changes, are usually legislated through the Finance Bill and don’t take effect until the start of the new tax year the following April.
FAQs
What time is the Budget on 28 October 2026? The Budget is expected to start at approximately 12:30pm, straight after Prime Minister’s Questions, following the usual pattern for Budget statements.
Who is delivering the 2026 Budget? Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey will deliver the 2026 Autumn Budget, his first since being appointed to the role.
How long does the Budget speech usually last? Most modern Budget speeches last around an hour, though historically they’ve ranged from 45 minutes to nearly five hours.
Where can I watch the Budget live? You can watch it live on Parliament’s official livestream, BBC News, BBC iPlayer, and other major UK news broadcasters.
Why does the Budget happen on a Wednesday? It’s scheduled straight after PMQs, which only takes place on sitting Wednesdays, ensuring maximum attendance and media attention.
When do Budget tax changes actually take effect? Some duties can change immediately on Budget day, but most tax and National Insurance changes typically take effect from the start of the new tax year the following April.