The Figures: UK Rates and Allowances 2026/27

The book is written for the 2026/27 UK tax year. Rates move, usually every April. This page always holds the current set, so if a number in the book looks out of date, the version here is the one to trust. Confirm anything that matters at gov.uk, MoneyHelper or the NHS Pensions Member Hub before you act on it.

Income tax and allowances

England, 2026/27. Thresholds are frozen until 5 April 2031 (the end of the 2030/31 tax year).

Item	Figure
Personal Allowance	£12,570
Basic rate (20%)	£12,571 to £50,270
Higher rate (40%)	£50,271 to £125,140
Additional rate (45%)	over £125,140
Personal Savings Allowance	£1,000 basic · £500 higher £0 for additional-rate taxpayers

ISAs and savings

The ISA allowance resets every 6 April; unused allowance can't be carried forward.

Item	Figure
Overall ISA allowance	£20,000
Cash ISA	£20,000 in 2026/27 Falls to £12,000 for under-65s from 6 April 2027; 65+ keep £20,000
Lifetime ISA	£4,000 a year 25% government bonus (up to £1,000); home up to £450,000; 25% charge on other withdrawals
Junior ISA	£9,000 a year
Tax on savings interest	20% / 40% Rises to 22% / 42% from 6 April 2027

NHS pension

2015 CARE scheme, 2026/27 (England and Wales).

Item	Figure
Accrual rate	1/54 of pensionable pay a year
Employer contribution	23.7%
Member contribution tiers	5.2% to 12.5% 5.2% up to £13,259 · 6.5% £13,260 to £28,854 · 8.3% £28,855 to £35,155 · 9.8% £35,156 to £52,778 · 10.7% £52,779 to £67,668 · 12.5% £67,669 and over
Normal Pension Age	Linked to State Pension Age 66, rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028

Agenda for Change pay bands

England, 2026/27. Full-time annual salary ranges.

Band	Salary range
Band 2	£25,272
Band 3	£25,760 to £27,476
Band 4	£28,392 to £31,157
Band 5	£32,073 to £39,043
Band 6	£39,959 to £48,117
Band 7	£49,387 to £56,515
Band 8a	£57,528 to £64,750
Band 8b	£66,582 to £77,368
Band 8c	£79,504 to £91,609
Band 8d	£94,356 to £108,814
Band 9	£112,782 to £129,783

Sick pay and protection

2026/27. Occupational sick pay is set by your employer's policy and Agenda for Change.

Item	Figure
Statutory Sick Pay	£123.25 a week Payable from day one; lower earnings limit removed, April 2026
NHS occupational sick pay	1 + 2 months, rising to 6 + 6 months Full pay + half pay, scaling from year 1 to 5+ years' service
FSCS: cash deposits	£120,000 per licence £240,000 on a joint account; from 1 December 2025
FSCS: investments	£85,000 per firm
Inheritance Tax nil-rate band	£325,000
Lump Sum and Death Benefit Allowance	£1,073,100

State Pension and National Insurance

New State Pension, 2026/27.

Item	Figure
Qualifying years for full State Pension	35 years of NI
State Pension Age	66 Rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028

Student loans

Repayment thresholds, 2026/27. You repay a percentage of income above the threshold.

Plan	Threshold (a year)	Rate
Plan 1	£26,900	9%
Plan 2	£29,385	9%
Plan 4 (Scotland)	£33,795	9%
Plan 5	£25,000	9%
Postgraduate Loan	£21,000	6%

Debt and everyday costs

Item	Figure
Buy Now Pay Later	FCA-regulated from 15 July 2026 Affordability checks, credit-reference reporting, Financial Ombudsman access
Council Tax single-occupancy discount	25%

Confirmed changes ahead

6 April 2027: Cash ISA limit falls to £12,000 for under-65s (the overall £20,000 ISA allowance doesn't change).
6 April 2027: tax on savings interest rises by two points, to 22% (basic) and 42% (higher).
6 April 2027: unused pension funds are brought into your estate for Inheritance Tax.

Figures change every April. This is the 2026/27 edition, last updated 11 October 2026. These figures are general information, not financial advice; always confirm a number against an official source before acting on it. Sources are listed below.