Autumn Budget on 28th October: what to listen for on energy

The Chancellor will deliver the Autumn Budget on Wednesday 28th October. If energy is one of your biggest costs, it's worth knowing what's being asked for, and what has actually been promised. HM Treasury: Budget date

What industry is asking for

Make UK, the manufacturers' organisation, has asked the government to move policy levies off electricity bills. These are the costs of government schemes that are added to what businesses pay for power. In a Make UK survey, 47% of manufacturers said cutting industrial energy costs should be the government's top priority. Make UK's Budget submission

That's a wish-list, not a promise. So far, the only firm commitment for the Budget is to wider business rates reform, including Small Business Rates Relief. GOV.UK: business rates announcement

What to listen for on the day

• Any change to the levies on electricity bills, and who would qualify. Help is often aimed at the most energy-hungry industries, not every business.
• When any change would start. A measure from 2028 won't help this winter.
• Business rates changes, and whether they affect your sites.
• Anything on grid charges, which are already set to rise from 1st April 2027.

Prices are still heading up

Cornwall Insight's forecast on 30th September has the household price cap rising about 16% in January. That cap only protects households. Business contracts have no cap at all, so wholesale price movements reach you more directly. Ofgem will confirm the January cap by 25th November. Cornwall Insight forecast and Ofgem price cap

Our suggestion

Plan your winter as if nothing changes on energy. If the Budget brings good news, it's a bonus. If it doesn't, you won't have been caught out. Check when your contract ends, and which parts of your bill can move.

We'll go through what the Budget actually says once it's out. If you'd like to talk about what it means for your sites, get in touch. Numbers and options, no hard sell.