Autumn Budget 2026: Cash ISA allowance to remain at £20,000

The Autumn Budget confirmed that the previous plans to reduce the cash portion of the annual ISA allowance for people under 65 from the full £20,000 allowance to just £12,000 (with the remaining £8,000 reserved for non-cash savings options) has been cancelled. This means that the Cash ISA allowance will remain at £20,000 moving into the April 2027 tax year.*

What happened to the planned Cash ISA allowance reduction?

The UK Government has cancelled its previous plan to reduce the annual ISA allowance’s cash cap for under 65’s, essentially allowing the current system to continue as before rather than implementing the changes they had initially been moving to put in place for the April 2027 tax year.

The planned ISA allowance reduction was slated to split your ISA allowance between a £12,000 cash portion and the remaining £8,000, which would have to be invested in non-cash options such as Stocks and Shares ISAs.

How does the £20,000 allowance fit within the overall ISA limit?

Essentially, your £20,000 annual allowance is your overall ISA limit. This means it’s the maximum amount of money you can contribute to any number of ISA accounts within a single tax year.

However, there are other sub-limits to note within this amount. A Lifetime ISA (or LISA) scheme has an annual contribution limit of £4,000. Paying into a LISA also does count towards your overall £20,000 ISA limit.

What does the announcement mean for existing and new Cash ISA savers?

The announcement can be seen as a positive for both people who wish to continue reinvesting their savings into Cash ISA accounts, as well as new savers who also wish to make the most of these tax-free** benefits.

While the alternative options such as Stocks and Shares ISAs can prove profitable, they also carry an inherent level of risk which standard Cash ISAs shield savers from, meaning the announcement’s preservation of the £20,000 cash allowance provides flexibility for savers when reviewing their savings options.

What other Budget announcements should savers know about?

Starting from the April 2027 tax year, tax on property income will increase by 4%, while tax rates on savings income will rise by 2% across all tax bands.. In some ways this tax rise further enhances the benefits of saving with a tax-free ISA.

Budget 2026 Cash ISA allowance summary

To summarise:

• The Government has cancelled its earlier plans to reduce the cash portion of your annual ISA allowance from the full £20,000 to £12,000.
• Your £20,000 ISA allowance limit is affected by contributions to a LISA.
• Alongside ISA rules staying consistent, The Government also announced rises in tax on income from property and savings, meaning non-ISA savings will suffer higher tax by 2% across each tax bracket.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Cash ISA allowance staying at £20,000 after the Budget?

Yes, your ISA allowance is staying at an annual £20,000 maximum after the recent Autumn Budget.

Has the planned Cash ISA allowance reduction been cancelled?

The Government did indeed cancel the previous planned reduction, which was set to reduce the cash portion of the annual ISA allowance to £12,000 starting from the 6 April 2027 tax year.

Does the retained Cash ISA allowance apply to all eligible adult savers?

Yes, part of the Budget announcement confirmed that the full £20,000 ISA allowance applies to all eligible adult savers.

Can I contribute £20,000 to a Cash ISA as well as £20,000 to a Stocks and Shares ISA?

Your annual £20,000 ISA allowance covers all forms of ISA account, meaning that you’d not be able to contribute an overall £40,000 between two types of ISA accounts.

Does the Budget decision change the tax treatment of Cash ISA interest?

Cash ISAs remain fully tax-free, meaning you can earn interest on your savings without incurring any taxation on these gains.

Do ISA transfers count towards my annual subscription allowance?

No, ISA transfers don’t count towards your annual contribution allowance, however it’s important to ensure the proper official process for ISA transfers is followed to ensure your savings retain their tax-free status.

Does unused ISA allowance carry forward after the Budget?

Your annual ISA allowance remains capped at £20,000, and this figure cannot be increased by any kind of ‘carry over’ system. Once the next tax year begins, your annual allowance resets.

When does the Cash ISA allowance decision apply?

Given the Budget has reversed the previously planned ISA proposal to limit the Cash portion of an ISA allowance from £20,000 to £12,000. This means that rule is staying the same and therefore remains in effect immediately.

Next steps

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*The measures outlined are based on announcements made in the Autumn Budget 2026 and are subject to change before implementation.

**This article reflects Government announcements as of 28 October 2026. ISA rules and tax treatment may change in future and depend on individual circumstances.