Budget 2026 speech announces energy, AI and housing reforms

The Chancellor delivered the 2026 Budget speech announcing a wide set of tax, spending, energy, AI, housing, defence, and devolution measures.

• Main action: the Budget introduces new energy bill support, AI and data-center policy, investment programmes, housing funding, and defence financing, with multiple measures taking effect immediately or from 2027-2030.
• Background/details: specific commitments include a new British Data Center Covenant, £20.4bn for the National Wealth Fund and British Business Bank, £4.7bn for first-time buyer lending, £430m for rough sleeping support, £10bn for Ukraine support, and £2.5bn for Rolls-Royce turbine technology investment.