Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inNicole Wootton-CaneTuesday 27 October 2026 22:40 GMTJohn Healey is anticipated to scrap standing charges on gas supplies (Getty/iStock)Household gas bills could be cut by up to £50 under plans set to be outlined by the chancellor on the eve of Wednesday’s Budget, providing a boost to living costs.John Healey is anticipated to scrap standing charges on gas supplies, creating annual savings of between £22 and £50 for households, according to a report in The Telegraph.This comes after the chancellor declared he will add 2p to the price of a pint, having already revealed lower costs for supermarket items including baked beans, gherkins and chocolate.Alcohol duty is expected to rise alongside Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation in the Budget, despite trade groups pressing the chancellor to abandon a decision they claim will harm "struggling" businesses.Furthermore, import tariffs on more than 100 products have been lifted as Andy Burnham vows to offer "breathing space" for businesses and families during his initial Budget. The adjustment is among several "everyday fixes" shared before Wednesday, coming in tandem with revisions to carers allowance and parental pay.In fullBudget 2026 latest: Chancellor Healey ‘to slash household gas bills by up to £50’ in cost of living boostMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in