More than half of UK adults expect their finances to worsen following the 2026 Autumn Budget, as a quarter prepare to cut household spending

• 53% expect their household financial situation to worsen over the next 12 months, compared with just 11% who expect it to improve
• 26% are considering reducing household spending as a direct result of the 2026 Autumn Budget
• 25% feel confident they will have enough money to enjoy a good standard of living in retirement, falling to 21% among women

New research by YouGov, commissioned by UK wealth management and employee benefits firm Mattioli Woods, reveals growing concern about the financial outlook following the 2026 Autumn Budget, with more than half (53%) of UK adults expecting their household finances to deteriorate over the next 12 months.

Just 11% anticipate an improvement, while more than one in four (26%) are considering reducing household spending as a direct result of the Budget, highlighting the pressure many households feel they are facing.

Women are particularly pessimistic about the year ahead, with 55% expecting their financial situation to worsen. The findings also suggest the Budget is prompting some people to reconsider how they manage their money, with 13% considering reviewing their ISA or other tax-efficient savings arrangements and 9% reassessing the balance between cash savings and investments.

The research highlights that concerns extend beyond immediate household pressures to longer-term financial security. Just one in four of those surveyed (25%) feel confident they have, or will have, enough money to enjoy a good standard of living in retirement. This falls to just 21% among women.

Confidence also varies considerably by age. Less than a quarter (24%) of those aged 50 to 64 feel confident about their retirement finances, compared with 45% of those aged over 65, suggesting significant uncertainty among those approaching retirement.

Amit Joshi, Managing Director of Wealth at Mattioli Woods, said: “While the 2026 Autumn Budget may initially have appeared relatively uneventful, its potential implications for household finances and longer-term financial planning should not be underestimated. More than half of UK adults expect their financial situation to worsen over the next 12 months, with one in four already considering cutting household spending as a direct result. However, the findings also highlight a wider concern about financial security beyond the immediate impact of the Budget. With just one in four people confident they will have enough money to enjoy a good standard of living in retirement, it is clear that many are uncertain about what the future holds.

“Understanding how changes to the economic and tax landscape could affect individual circumstances is increasingly important. Taking a joined-up approach to financial planning can help people make informed decisions, make the most of their savings and investments, and feel better prepared for the future.”

In June 2026, Mattioli Woods brought Kingswood Group under a unified brand, following their merger in October 2025. The combined business serves more than 30,000 clients and has over 200 financial advisers across more than 40 UK offices. Bringing together wealth planning, investment management and employee benefits, the integration further strengthens the Group’s position as a leading national wealth manager.

* Source: Research carried out by YouGov with 2,100 UK adults between 29 and 30 October 2026.