New analysis by RBC Brewin Dolphin shows that successive Budgets over the past decade have delivered more than 150 notable changes to personal finance rules1 affecting a range of everyday financial planning considerations including tax, savings and pensions.

The figure stood at over 130 ahead of the Autumn Budget 2026 and has now passed 150 following the Chancellor’s statement on 28 October 2026.

The Autumn Budget 2026 introduced a number of measures across trading allowances, capital gains tax, savings and property income tax rates and pension death benefits. Rules were created, removed and amended impacting a range of taxes, including income, capital gains and inheritance taxes. New reliefs for business founders were introduced and existing ones reduced.

A snap poll conducted by RBC Brewin Dolphin2 on the day of the Budget found that around one in five (19%) respondents said the Budget left them feeling less confident about their own financial plans, and 16% were already reviewing or planning to review their financial plans within the next three months.

With six pension changes laid out in the most recent Budget, one quarter (25%) said they were concerned about the impact of the Budget on their retirement and pension planning.

“Ten years of Budgets have had a significant impact on financial planning. It isn’t just the individual changes that are important, but taking time to consider how each interacts and what the cumulative impact is for long term plans. Advisors will process the updates and take a step back to look at the full picture for each client, not just the latest announcements.

With more than 150 changes announced in the last ten years, there’s a real opportunity for advisers to look beyond the announcements and review plans against the full set of rules already in place, alongside those coming into force in April 2027.”

The lifetime limit for the 18% Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rate on selling a business is being reduced from £1m to £500,000 from April 2027.

A two percentage point increase on savings and property income, on top of the two percentage points from the Budget in 2025, means additional rate taxpayers now face a top rate of 49%, with higher rate taxpayers rising to 44%.

There was clarity provided on the inclusion of unused pension funds to qualify for a reduced inheritance tax rate of 36% when at least 10% of the estate is left to charity. From 6 April 2027, the person administering the estate will be able to choose whether those pension funds are counted in the general part of the estate or as a separate part for the charity calculation.

This allows individuals to pick the option that works best for the 10% charity test.

The Trading Allowance is increasing from £1,000 to £3,000 from April 2027, meaning people with side businesses (like selling vintage clothing), hiring out personal equipment or gig work (babysitting, gardening, tutoring or dog walking) can earn more tax-free, with the Self Assessment reporting threshold rising to match. So you don’t have to report, or pay tax on income, of up to £3,000.

5. Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Founders’ Relief

CGT Founders’ Relief launched via a technical consultation alongside the Budget, offers similar benefits to the Entrepreneurs Relief with a 10% CGT rate on up to £10m of gains. The relief is being targeted at individuals who have invested their time, dedication and expertise to start and scale high growth, innovative UK companies.

1 Analysis was conducted by RBC Brewin Dolphin in September 2026 and reviewed changes announced during Budgets (including Spring and Autumn statements) which had a potential financial planning impact.

2 Find Out Now surveyed 2,064 respondents on 28 Oct. 2026 for RBC Wealth Management, filtered to be nationally representative by age, gender and region. Find Out Now is a member of the British Polling Council.