UK Budget unveils energy, AI and investment reforms

The UK Government has unveiled a Budget focused on household cost relief, industrial investment, AI, infrastructure, and fiscal discipline.

• Energy and household support: a £100 Household Energy Payment for up to 20 million households in 2027, a VAT cut on electricity bills extended to 1 July 2027, and a new framework for cheaper long-term energy; the next renewables auction, Allocation Round 8, will buy only clean power ready to connect to the grid.
• Business, investment, and infrastructure: a multi-decade cooperation agreement with Rolls-Royce starts with a 10-year, £2.5 billion programme for next-generation gas turbine technology; the government also announced £1.5 billion for social and affordable housing, £700 million for AI, and more than £1 billion in life sciences public-private investment backed by almost £70 million in grant funding.