Labour budget tackles cost of living in Dunfermline and Dollar
- Dunfermline and Dollar Member of Parliament welcomes UK Labour Budget.
- Energy bills cut by £150 from April 2026 and fuel duty frozen for the year.
- UK Government Budget commits to raising the National Minimum Wage, National Living Wage and a 4.8% increase in state pension, delivering on cost-of-living commitment.
Today’s Budget will tackle the cost of living and put money back in people’s pockets according to local MP Graeme Downie.
Today, the Chancellor announced a package of measures to bring down energy bills, saving billpayers £150 a year. Fuel duty will also be frozen, keeping prices down at the pump.
The Government committed to a rise in the minimum wage which will increase for over-21s by 50p an hour, taking it to £12.71. Those aged 18-20 will see their wages increase to a minimum of £10.85 an hour, with raises also promised for 16-17 year olds and apprentices. This will directly raise the income of 9,800 employees across Fife who are paid at these levels.
Focussing on a commitment to lift people out of poverty, the Chancellor will also remove the two-child benefit cap and increase the state pension by 4.8%.
Significantly for ex-miners across Fife, the Chancellor also committed to restoring full pension payments to members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS), who have spent years campaigning for the return of their pension scheme’s investment reserve fund.
Commenting on the Budget, Graeme Downie MP said:
“This is clearly a Labour budget in every sense of the word and will ensure strong public finances while supporting working people and bearing down on inflation. More than anything, it shows that what matters to the British people, matters to us.
“As a co-founder of the Living Standards Coalition, I was delighted to see this Government delivering for working people, with hefty cuts to energy bills and increases to the National Minimum Wage and Living Wage that will put more money in the pockets of ten thousand Fifers.
“This budget also delivers for members of The British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme, who will now receive their pensions in full, ending decades of insecurity and fear. I have been with BCSSS members from the start and to the nearly 700 families affected across Fife, I can only say thank you for your fight for justice.
“We were elected to put working people first and we have, with the Chancellor also announcing an uplift for pensions and the removal of the two-child benefit cap that will directly help 1400 children in Dunfermline and Dollar.
“We are correcting another historic wrong by clawing back £430m of cash from corrupt Tory Covid procurement deals.
“The list goes on. I know that keeping fuel costs down is vital for those driving to work or college and after leading a campaign to save money at the pump, I welcome the Chancellor’s freeze in fuel duty and new Fuel Finder scheme.
“These measures will benefit thousands of hardworking people across Dunfermline and Dollar, slashing bills, providing dignity in retirement and protecting the most vulnerable.
“Once again, this Labour Government has put Scotland at the heart of the UK, with a further £820 million in funding. My only concern is that my constituents will not see the full benefits of these progressive measures because of the decisions of a failing SNP Scottish Government.”
ENDS
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