Spring Forecast 2026: Key points for BHTA members

Last Updated on 06/03/2026 by Sarah Sarsby

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has set out the Spring Forecast 2026 in Parliament, which delivers the UK Government’s spending plans and the economic outlook for the financial year ahead, alongside the Office for Budget Responsibility’s updated ‘Economic and fiscal outlook’.

The BHTA has highlighted some of the key points that may be relevant for member businesses.

The OBR projects that CPI inflation will fall from 3.4 percent in 2025 to 2.3 percent in 2026, reaching the 2 per cent target in late 2026. A lower inflation path may ease some the costs of supplies and running the business over time; however, the outlook emphasises uncertainty and the continued sensitivity of prices and wages to domestic and global conditions.

In addition, the government states that inflation is expected to reduce in 2026–27. If household budgets are less strained, some consumers may have more capacity to spend on health and wellbeing products, home adaptations, and mobility or daily living aids.

The government adds that the OBR expects living standards to rise over the Parliament, with people forecast to be over £1,000 a year better off after inflation.

However, no new measures or plans were announced in the Spring Forecast 2026 for the NHS, social care, or businesses.

David Stockdale, Chief Executive of the BHTA, said: “The Spring Forecast points to inflation returning to target sooner, and to households being better off after inflation, which should help to ease pressure on consumers and support business confidence.

“But the statement is light on new measures, and that is a missed opportunity to address some of the practical barriers facing the healthcare and assistive technology sector.

“Our members support independence at home and in the community, and help services to operate more efficiently, yet there were no new steps on long-standing priorities we have raised, including fair and sustainable funding for community equipment and wheelchair services, greater investment in home adaptations, and the removal of VAT on public access defibrillators.

“We are ready to work with government to ensure that future fiscal decisions support timely access to the products and services people rely on every day.”