Leaders from across the electrical contracting industry have shared their thoughts on the Burnham Government’s first Autumn Budget
On Wednesday (29 October), Chancellor John Healey MP set out the UK Government’s tax and spending plans amid mounting pressure to tackle the rising cost of living.
Key points include a one-off £100 payment for up to 20 million households in council tax bands A-D to help deal with rising energy bills; fixed daily fees customers pay regardless of usage to be removed from household gas bills; and a freeze on fuel duty extended again to July 2027.
Chris Claydon, Chief Executive of electrical training provider JTL, says the government’s “ambitious” plans on clean energy, housing and defence require a steady workforce of electricians and plumbers to deliver them.
“Our research shows the plumbing workforce is set to shrink by 30% in 2039 whilst the electrical workforce has already declined by over 26% since 2018, and without urgent action, could shrink by another 32% by 2038. Expanding the number of apprentices into these trades is critical to delivering the government’s plans,” he adds.
“We welcome the government’s commitment to expand Mayoral Apprenticeship Brokerage Pilots to match employers and young people and would encourage the government to ensure the scheme also matches young people and employers with high-quality providers to deliver the apprenticeships.
“In addition, it is positive to see the requirement for apprenticeships in large government construction and infrastructure projects. Alongside this we continue to encourage the government to increase SME apprenticeship incentives and support more employers to take on apprentices.”
Meanwhile, Mike Harris, Director of Sales and Customer Services at insurance provider Kingsbridge, believes the extension of the fuel duty cut will be welcome news for tradespeople, particularly those who rely on their vans and vehicles every day to get between jobs.
“The increase in tax-free mileage rates is also encouraging, particularly for self-employed tradespeople who regularly travel between sites. However, with the cost of tools, materials, vehicle maintenance and insurance continuing to put pressure on businesses, there is still more that could be done,” he adds
“Tripling the trading allowance from £1,000 to £3,000 is another positive move, particularly for those starting out in the trades or earning additional income through smaller jobs. It could make it easier for people to test the waters of self-employment without immediately facing more complicated tax reporting requirements.”
Greg Jackson, Founder and CEO of Octopus Energy, praises the government for supporting the development of the UK heat pump industry. “With companies and public sector working together, we can continue the path of innovation and cost-reduction that will enable us to reduce Britain’s dependency on gas, a critical plank to improve our security and reduce heating bills,” he adds.
“Moreover, this creates a secure future for the thousands of skilled professionals who’ve trained to install heat pumps and manufacture them here in Britain. This is a great example of the Prime Minister’s ‘good growth in every postcode’.”
Autumn Budget 2026: ‘What happens when temporary support comes to an end?’
Becky Lane, CEO of home energy renovation company Furbnow, praised the freeze on VAT, saying “any reduction in energy bills is welcome, particularly as we head into winter”.
“But temporary tax cuts are only part of the answer. Households need help to make their homes cheaper to heat permanently, whether that’s through better insulation, more efficient heating or other improvements. Otherwise, when temporary support comes to an end, families could find themselves facing exactly the same problems,” she adds.
Matthew Baynes, Vice President Secure Power and Data Centres UK&I for Schneider Electric, says the Government’s Data Centre Covenant “represents a significant opportunity for a new era of responsible data centre development, where investment in digital infrastructure delivers tangible benefits for local communities and the wider UK economy”.
He adds: “As AI accelerates demand for computing capacity, the industry has an opportunity to become a catalyst for economic growth, creating skilled jobs, attracting investment and strengthening the UK’s position as a leading hub for secure, scalable and sovereign digital infrastructure. However, realising this ambition will require a fundamental rethink of how we power the next generation of data centres.”
For more coverage on the Autumn Budget 2026, click here.