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Chancellor John Healey appoints Ravinder Athwal Treasury adviser

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 4:59 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Chancellor John Healey appointed economist Ravinder Athwal as senior special adviser to the Treasury.
Athwal will begin his advisory role next week, roughly a month before the 28 October budget.
Healey’s fiscal buffer is projected to fall below the £24 billion spring forecast.
Restoring the buffer would likely require large tax hikes or major spending cuts.
High oil and gas prices may raise the energy price cap in January, with modest consumer aid.

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Story summary

Chancellor John Healey appointed economist Ravinder Athwal as senior special adviser to the Treasury.
Athwal will begin his advisory role next week, roughly a month before the 28 October budget.
Healey’s fiscal buffer is projected to fall below the £24 billion spring forecast.
Restoring the buffer would likely require large tax hikes or major spending cuts.
High oil and gas prices may raise the energy price cap in January, with modest consumer aid.