Business / NEWS UPDATE
Budget 2026: No more fat to trim for 'squeezed middle'
Published · 1 min read

As Chancellor John Healey prepares his first Budget, the 'squeezed middle' express ongoing financial strain.
Dawn Fazackerley-King, a mother-of-two, faces rising mortgage costs, highlighting the difficulty of finding additional funds. The Office for National Statistics reports that 55% of adults experienced increased costs in August, with food, fuel, and energy bills cited as primary contributors. Despite government promises to alleviate the cost of living, individuals like Dawn and Jessica Taylor continue to struggle, emphasizing the need for more substantial support. Chancellor Healey's Budget is expected to address these concerns without increasing the three main taxes.