Capitalising on Budget prep

Rowntree² just hosted its first event – PlanIt 26. It was an opportunity to get together with clients, partners and friends of Rowntree² on a dark and wet January evening, as well a chance to show guests how to best use the months ahead to maximise their comms.

In our old school swag bag for guests to take home was a 2026 desk calendar that included 12 moments across the year that are key for start-up and scale-up businesses (among others).

We’re turning those moments into monthly blogs. And this is the first.

This month we’re looking at how the UK March Budget can supercharge your 2026 comms strategy.

Every year, the UK Government’sMarch Budget sets the stage for the year ahead. What happens in Westminster doesn’t just affect tax numbers – it shapes business investment decisions, hiring plans, R&D strategies and growth narratives for start-ups and scale-ups alike. There’s a clear opportunity: plan your communications around the Budget not just your product roadmap.

Historically, Spring Budgets have included measures to support capital investment, innovation and employment, all of which impact fast-growth companies.

For example, in budgets of thelast two to three years the government has:

• Committed to business investment incentives like full expensing and expanded R&D support, aiming to boost productivity and innovation; (GOV.UK)
• Pledged targeted R&D and technology funding that supports sectors like life sciences and AI; (GOV.UK)
• Signalled tax-relief enhancements for investors, including changes to Venture Capital Trusts and Enterprise Investment Schemes that affect early-stage funding dynamics. (Osborne Clarke)

It would be fair to assume that this year the Budget will make strategic bets on growth and innovation, pushing incentives and policy levers that affect the way companies think about funding, recruitment and scaling.

As a result, the UK Budget is more than a financial roadmap for government spending. It’s a signal to markets, businesses, investors, customers and media and a powerful rallying point for strategic communications.

But what does that mean in reality? Here are four ways to align your comms to the budget in simple and smart ways that show thoughtful strategic confidence:

1. Connect your story to the broader economic narrative
Investors and customers want to see that you’re not just building in isolation but that you’re building with the market, for example:

• “How we’re investing in innovation aligned with the Budget’s R&D incentives”
• “Why we’re hiring aggressively in 2026 and what government support means for our sector”

These themes signal confidence and positioning, not desperation.

2. Use Budget signals to support funding announcements
If you’re preparing to announce a funding round, a Budget that backs innovation makes a stronger narrative but also gives useful context. Say something like..

“Our Series A round comes at a time when the government is backing R&D and capital investment – a validation of our approach and timing.”

3. Tie hiring and growth to incentives and market conditions
Spring Budgets often affect employment dynamics, whether through tax incentives, training funds or broader economic signals. Show you’re using these strategically. For example:

• Incentives for R&D hiring or employment support schemes can be woven into talent acquisition comms; (Xero)
• Construction and infrastructure investments may create adjacent demand for tech and scale-up services; (Xero)

4. Anticipate media interest with thought leadership
Budget season is a prime media moment but not every business gets coverage. If you can show the implications of the Budget on your business and businesses like yours, you’re more likely to get attention from editorial teams and their audiences.

Thought leadership written before or immediately after the Budget that interprets what policy means for real customers and sectors is far more likely to be picked up than generic commentary.

Imagine headlines like:

• “Why the Budget makes this year the year to double down on tech investment”
• “How policy shifts unlock growth opportunities for SMEs”

But this isn’t just about spending numbers – it’s about confidence
It’s worth remembering that the political and economic environment isn’t always clear-cut. Forecasts around UK budgets show governments balancing growth with fiscal pressures and spending reviews can include a mix of incentives and constraints. (House of Lords Library)

That’s precisely why strategic, consistent, market-aware communications, matter.

A strong narrative helps you:

• Build belief with investors and partners
• Explain hiring plans with confidence
• Show customers why you’re investing in growth
• Position your business within the broader UK economic story

And that is not something you can do with ad hoc posts or a generic press release.

Our four-point plan to turn budget moments into momentum

1. Plan ahead:
   Draft themes before the Budget, and prepare follow-ups immediately after.
2. Be specific:
   Generic “Budget reaction” posts aren’t useful – explain what it means for your business.
3. Lead with insight:
   Use data, customer stories and expert commentary to interpret the impact.
4. Connect to strategy:
   Show how policy supports your decisions – whether hiring, R&D, customer expansion or fundraising.

Your next move
If your leadership team is planning around funding, hiring or growth this year, make your communications part of that plan, not an afterthought.

Right now, officials, media and investors are all watching the same moment. The companies that turn that into an opportunity through smart, confident comms will be the ones who lead the conversation in 2026.

If you’d like a copy of the PLANIT 26 desk calendar so you can easily track your 2026 comms moments, email hello@rowntreesquared.com and we’ll send you one or find the digital version HERE.