Today, 28th October 2026, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon John Healey MP, announced the Budget. As expected, the Budget made no policy announcements affecting the IR35 legislation or the wider recruitment industry. Indeed, at page 5 of Budget 2026 (HM Treasury), the government confirmed that it’s “keeping to its commitments on tax, with no increase to the headline rates of income tax, National Insurance contributions, or VAT. The government is also maintaining the commitments in the 2024 Corporate Tax Roadmap.”
Despite the apparent promised stability and lack of extra burdens on business, the Chancellor announced in the Commons extra funding for HM Revenue & Customs and undisclosed plans to modernise “the tax system, closing loopholes and ensuring that everyone pays the tax they owe.” Self-employed individuals will benefit from increased tax-free mileage rates and the extension of parental pay “from April 2029”.
It is anticipated that the amendments to the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 will be announced early next year, along with further tightening of the law to deter the use of unregulated employers of record.
Please contact The Law Place Limited’s director, Martyn Valentine, on 07788 773871 or martyn@thelawplace.co.uk if you have any questions.