---
title: "Chancellor Healey highlights UK capital gains tax advantage"
publisher: "Stockmark.IT"
author: "Stockmark.IT Website"
published: "2026-09-28T06:14:08+00:00"
modified: "2026-09-28T06:14:08+00:00"
date: 2026-09-28
canonical: "https://stockmark.it/uk-has-low-capital-gains-tax-rates-healey-says/"
category: "Investment"
categories: ["Investment", "UK Economy", "UK Government", "UK Tax"]
image: "https://i0.wp.com/stockmark.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/chancellor-healey-highlights-uk-capital-gains-tax-advantage.png?fit=1536%2C1024&quality=80&ssl=1"
format: "news"
language: "en-GB"
---

# Chancellor Healey highlights UK capital gains tax advantage

**Published:** September 28, 2026
**Author:** Stockmark.IT Website
**Categories:** Investment, UK Economy, UK Government, UK Tax
**Featured image:** ![Chancellor Healey highlights UK capital gains tax advantage](https://i0.wp.com/stockmark.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/chancellor-healey-highlights-uk-capital-gains-tax-advantage.png?fit=1536%2C1024&quality=80&ssl=1)

---

Chancellor John Healey has stated that the United Kingdom maintains the lowest capital gains tax rate among major European economies. This assertion, made in an interview with The Sunday Times, has intensified speculation regarding potential tax increases at the upcoming Budget. The Chancellor emphasised the nation’s competitive position on capital taxes while discussing broader efforts to improve economic fortunes and business confidence.

Healey specifically noted that the UK holds the lowest capital gains tax rate of any European G7 nation. His remarks carry significant weight given intense speculation that the government may seek to raise rates to further tax reforms and generate additional revenue. Other senior figures, including Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and First Secretary of State Louise Haigh, have previously argued that increasing capital gains tax would enhance the fairness of the overall system and contribute to public revenue. The Centre for Analysis of Taxation has suggested that specific reforms in this area could yield an additional twenty billion pounds in revenue by 2030.

However, such proposals have faced criticism from economists, including former Institute for Fiscal Studies chief Paul Johnson, who argues that higher rates could lead to lost receipts. The Office for Budget Responsibility has highlighted that forecasting capital gains tax income involves very high uncertainty due to the difficulty in predicting investment behaviours. Analysts at Blick Rothenberg have noted that clients may hold onto assets for longer or alter their plans in response to any tax increases. Currently, the UK applies two capital gains tax rates of eighteen per cent and twenty-four per cent, depending on income bands. This contrasts with Canada, which has a higher rate for top earners, and Italy, France, and Germany, which have higher flat rates, while Japan and the United States have lower rates.

Healey stated he did not wish to provide answers or signals that would fuel Budget speculation, noting that such rumours have real-world effects. He referenced the criticism faced after news stories emerged before last year’s Budget, including comments from former Bank of England deputy governor Andy Haldane. The Chancellor also addressed the departure of high-profile taxpayers, stating his desire for billionaires to remain in the UK to create wealth. He expressed a goal to raise levels of business investment, confidence, and profit. Additionally, Healey revealed that Gordon Brown, serving as an envoy for global finance, provides advice on managing the economy, describing him as a mentor. He denied any flexibility within fiscal rules to loosen borrowing, affirming that the government will meet the rules with a buffer against uncertainty.

---

**Original URL:** https://stockmark.it/uk-has-low-capital-gains-tax-rates-healey-says/
*Created by [WP Markdown Endpoint](https://wpmarkdownendpoint.com/)*