英国新任财政大臣约翰·希利计划于周三公布其执政以来的首份财政预算，此举旨在确立新首相安迪·伯纳姆政府的施政基调 1。受美国与以色列在二月底发动的海湾冲突影响，国际油价突破每桶110美元，导致政府债务利息负担加重，原本240亿英镑的财政缓冲资金已缩减至约120亿英镑 1。在此背景下，希利拟分配约1.42万亿英镑用于日常支出和公共投资，其中约1000亿英镑将专门用于支付债务利息 1。
为应对资金短缺并增加国防开支，预算案预计将实施一系列针对性增税措施。主要手段包括对银行业征税，可能恢复此前被杰里米·亨特降至3%的8%附加税，这一举措每年可为国库增收超过20亿英镑；此外，汇丰银行（HSBC）周二刚公布其利润增长32%至约72亿英镑 1。另外，亚马逊等在线市场平台可能被征收增值税或类似税款，预计筹资高达10亿英镑，所得资金将用于降低小型高街商店的商业费率门槛，从1.2万英镑提升至1.8万英镑 1。
在生活成本危机缓解方面，家庭将获得多项支持。带薪育儿假将延长，使每年受益家庭数量额外增加超过15万个，且金额增至388英镑；同时结束护理津贴的“悬崖效应”；包括烘焙豆、巧克力在内的100多种产品进口关税将被取消 1。针对贫困家庭的能源账单援助投入将超过10亿英镑，主要用于扩大“温暖家庭折扣”，可能在现有150英镑退税基础上增加100英镑 1。住房领域则推出“你的第一个家”计划，为新房买家提供20%的股权贷款，首付最低仅需2.5%且享有免息期 1。
国防与地方发展也是预算重点。希利计划通过削减其他部门预算来填补从基尔·斯塔默时期继承的47亿英镑国防投资缺口，但实现GDP 3%国防支出的路线图推迟至明年的支出审查中制定 1。权力下放方面，市长和地方当局将获得1.5亿英镑的资金提升及15亿英镑的借款便利设施，明年还将分配2.85亿英镑作为“良好增长”资金 1。值得注意的是，所得税、国民保险、增值税税率以及豪宅税（Mansion Tax）门槛均保持不变，资本利得税维持现状，燃料税冻结政策预计延续，且面向海外富人的“黄金签证”路线已被取消 1。
UK Chancellor John Healey is set to announce his first budget on Wednesday, aiming to establish the fiscal tone for Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s administration 1. The plan seeks to navigate a challenging economic landscape defined by rising living costs and increased defense spending needs, with total allocations for day-to-day spending and public investment reaching approximately £1.42 trillion, including about £100 billion dedicated to interest payments 1. A significant constraint on available resources stems from the Gulf conflict launched by the US and Israel in late February, which drove oil prices above $110 per barrel and halved the government’s fiscal headroom from £24 billion to roughly £12 billion due to surging energy prices and higher debt interest 1.
To address these pressures, Healey plans to introduce new revenue-raising measures primarily targeting the financial sector and digital commerce. One key proposal involves a tax on banks, potentially restoring the 8% bank surcharge that former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt reduced to 3%, a move expected to generate over £2 billion annually; this comes as HSBC reported a 32% profit increase to approximately £7.2 billion on Tuesday 1. Additionally, value-added tax or similar levies may be imposed on online marketplaces like Amazon to close the gap with physical stores, aiming to raise up to £1 billion 1. These funds are intended to lower business rates for small high-street shops by raising the relief threshold from £12,000 to £18,000 1.
On the household support front, the budget outlines several targeted interventions without touching core income taxes, National Insurance, VAT rates, capital gains tax, or the Mansion Tax threshold, nor altering the fuel duty freeze 1. Families will benefit from an extension of paid parental leave providing £388 per year for more than 150,000 additional households, alongside the end of the care allowance cliff-edge and the removal of import tariffs on over 100 products including chocolate and baked beans 1. Energy assistance will see an investment of over £1 billion, largely expanding the "Warm Home Discount" scheme, potentially adding £100 to existing £150 rebates 1. Housing support includes a "Your First Home" scheme offering a 20% equity loan for new-build buyers with a minimum 2.5% deposit and interest-free periods 1.
Strategic priorities also include defense and regional empowerment, though some timelines have been adjusted. Healey intends to fill a £4.7 billion defense investment gap inherited from Keir Starmer’s government, primarily through cuts to other departmental budgets, while deferring the roadmap to achieve 3% of GDP in defense spending by 2030 until next year’s spending review 1. Devolution efforts will provide £150 million in funding uplifts for mayors and local authorities, plus £1.5 billion in borrowing facilities and £285 million in "good growth" funds for distribution next year 1. Notably, the previously explored visa route for wealthy overseas individuals has been scrapped 1.
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