Budget missed chance to drive growth and simplify tax system, tax professionals say

Asked which area the Budget on October 28 should have focused more on, 37 per cent of the 314 tax professionals responding said it should have sought to promote growth, while a further 28 per cent chose tax simplification measures. Together, almost two-thirds of respondents identified one of these two areas as the Budget's biggest missed opportunity.

Other issues included cost-of-living support (11 per cent), incentivising investment (9 per cent) and closing the tax gap (6 per cent).

The findings come as ATT members gave the Budget itself a largely subdued reception. Almost half, 49 per cent, described their reaction as negative, including 12 per cent who were “very negative”. Another 38 per cent were neutral, while 13 per cent were somewhat positive. Not a single member responding selected “very positive”.

The poll also asked tax professionals which Budget measures they expected to have the biggest impact on their clients. Income tax changes were the most commonly cited, chosen by 102 respondents, around a third of the total.

Savings and investment measures were selected by 69 members, followed by HMRC and administration measures (51), capital taxes (34) and business tax changes (29).

Jon Stride, chair of the ATT’s Technical Steering Group, said:

“The message from our members is clear. While Budgets inevitably involve difficult choices, tax professionals think there was scope for the Government to do more to support growth and make the tax system simpler.

“A simpler tax system is not just desirable in its own right. Complexity increases the time and cost involved in complying with the tax system for individuals and businesses, while making it harder for taxpayers to understand their obligations.

“If the Government wants the tax system to support economic growth, simplification needs to be part of that conversation. Businesses need a tax regime that gives them the confidence and certainty to plan, invest and grow.

“Tax professionals see first-hand how changes announced at a Budget affect individuals and businesses in practice. It is therefore significant that, when asked where greater attention was needed, growth and simplification came out so clearly ahead.”

Notes for editors:

1. The ATT surveyed 314 members following the Budget. Responses were received between 30 October and 6 November 2026.
2. Asked which area they thought the Budget should have focused more on, the principal responses were: 
   • Driving growth: 117 (37%)
   • Simplifying the tax system: 88 (28%)
   • Cost-of-living support: 35 (11%)
   • Incentivising investment: 27 (9%)
   • Closing the tax gap: 18 (6%) 
3. Asked for their overall reaction to the Budget, 120 respondents were neutral, 117 somewhat negative, 40 somewhat positive and 37 very negative.