What Does the Autumn Budget 2026 Mean for Teachers, Teaching Assistants and Schools in Essex?
The Autumn Budget was delivered on 28TH October 2026, and if you work in a school in Essex, Hertfordshire or Suffolk, you may be wondering what it changes for you. TES described it as a Budget with few new announcements for schools, but there are still some useful details to know. Here is a clear round up, including a few announcements made before the Budget.
What was announced for schools in the Autumn Budget 2026?
PE and school sport.
Tes reports an extra £60 million a year for the Department for Education (DfE) to contribute to PE and school sport partnerships. This links to the PE and School Sport Partnerships Network the DfE announced ahead of the Budget, which is expected to begin delivering support from April 2027. It is not yet clear whether the £60 million is additional to existing commitments, so keep an eye out for clarification from the DfE.
Books for young children.
The Treasury will provide up to £15 million over three years, starting in 2027 to 28, to improve access to books for preschool children. The funding supports organisations such as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and BookTrust rather than going directly to school budgets. It supports the government’s ambition for at least 75% of children to reach a good level of development by 2028, which is encouraging news for early years and Reception practitioners.
Tackling misogyny.
A new £15 million fund over three years will offer grants for programmes including mentoring, education and training. It follows DfE plans announced in September to give schools guidance, teacher training and resources on this issue.
What about SEND?
Tes reports that central government is due to take over funding for the SEND system from 2028 to 29, and that the government has committed to reimbursing councils for 90 per cent of SEND deficits built up to the end of 2025 to 26. For SENDCOs, LSAs and SEND specialists, this is one to watch as the reforms announced in February continue to take shape.
What does it mean for pay and travel?
According to GOV.UK, the National Living Wage will rise by 3.9 per cent to £13.21 an hour from April 2027. Tes notes this could affect staffing costs for schools, and the Budget does not outline extra grants to cover it.
If you travel between schools, which many supply teachers and TAs do, GOV.UK also confirms that the 5p cut to fuel duty will be extended for a further six months. The government is also permanently increasing the generosity of tax-free mileage rates, supporting around 2 million employees and 1 million self-employed people. It is worth checking the detail on GOV.UK to see how it applies to you. The Budget also extends parental pay to more than 160,000 additional parents, including self-employed dads and partners who previously missed out.
What should schools keep an eye on?
Tes reports that the Office for Budget Responsibility’s projections assume mainstream school funding per pupil stays flat in real terms, with overall spending expected to change as pupil numbers decline. These are projections rather than confirmed decisions, and spending beyond 2028 to 29 is still subject to future government choices. Planning staffing early gives schools the best chance of securing the right people for September 2027.
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