More than half (53%) of people expect their household finances to worsen over the next 12 months after last week’s Budget.
Just 11% anticipate an improvement in their financial position.
A quarter (26%) are considering cutting household spending as a direct result of the Budget, according to a new study from wealth manager and Financial Planner Mattioli Woods.
Women appear particularly concerned, according to the research, with 55% expecting their finances to deteriorate.
Longer-term financial security is also a significant worry, with only 25% of respondents confident they will have enough money to enjoy a good standard of living in retirement, falling to 21% among women.
Confidence is particularly low among those aged 50–64, at 24%, compared with 45% of over-65s.
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. That falls to just 21% among women.
The findings also suggest people are reconsidering their financial arrangements, including ISAs, tax-efficient savings and the balance between cash and investments.
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.
“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.”
• Source: Research commissioned by Mattioli Woods carried out by YouGov with 2,100 UK adults between 29 and 30 October 2026.