John Healey Seeks Budget Ideas From Treasury Staff Ahead of October Budget

Chancellor John Healey has launched an unusual brainstorming exercise across the Treasury, inviting staff at every level to submit ideas that could help shape the government’s October budget.

The initiative is open not only to economists and senior officials but also to apprentices, IT workers, junior civil servants and other employees who are not normally directly involved in economic policymaking.

Healey is understood to have contacted Treasury staff based in London, Norwich, Leeds and Darlington, encouraging them to put forward practical ideas for the upcoming budget. Staff whose proposals stand out could reportedly be invited to present their suggestions directly to the chancellor.

A Treasury source said the exercise is intended to challenge traditional Whitehall hierarchies and make better use of expertise across the department. Particular attention is expected to be given to proposals that could spread economic growth across different parts of the UK, strengthen local industries and reduce financial pressures on households and businesses.

A Treasury spokesperson said the government wants ideas from across the country as it seeks to promote growth and support communities and high streets.

The move comes as Healey faces a difficult economic backdrop ahead of his first major budget as chancellor. Rising inflation, weak economic growth and pressure to increase defence spending are expected to create significant challenges for the government.

Healey has also stressed the importance of maintaining fiscal discipline. Speaking to Sky News, he said the government would continue to build on the approach taken by Labour since coming to power, while acknowledging the financial pressures created by global conflicts and rising security risks.

One of the key challenges facing the Treasury is the potential funding gap in the government's defence investment plans. Reports have suggested that the October budget could be used to address part of this shortfall, with departmental spending reductions among the measures being considered.

Healey previously resigned as defence secretary under Keir Starmer following disagreements over defence spending plans. As chancellor, however, he has played down expectations that a detailed timetable for increasing defence spending will necessarily be announced in the October budget.

Meanwhile, Labour leader Andy Burnham has said his government would remain committed to the party’s manifesto, including its pledge not to increase income tax, national insurance or VAT. At the same time, he has warned that the public should recognise the difficult choices involved in funding additional government spending.

With the October budget approaching, Healey’s call for ideas from Treasury employees signals an attempt to broaden participation in policymaking while searching for measures that can support economic growth and ease financial pressures.