On Wednesday, the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves laid out the first Labour Budget in over a decade. It was inspiring to see the first female chancellor deliver her first budget.
Overall, the Government has delivered the largest budget settlement for the Scottish Government in the history of devolution with an additional £1.5billion for the Scottish Government to spend this financial year and an additional £3.4billion next year. It is now up to the Scottish Government to decide how that money is spent.
But this budget is not just about investment in the future, it’s about supporting working people too. By accepting the National Living Wage Commission’s recommendations in full, Labour is delivering a pay rise for 200,000 of the lowest-paid Scots.
Also contained within the budget was confirmation that the Drumchapel Levelling Up fund project would go ahead. As MP for Glasgow West, I lobbied the Chancellor and the Scotland Office Ministers to ensure this project was secured. I am grateful to Councillor Paul Carey for adding his voice to mine in making the case for this important project. I am excited to see plans for Drumchapel take shape over the coming months. I sincerely hope that it will make a real difference for the community.
The Labour Government is doing important work in the delivery of the Employment Rights Bill as part of our plan to Make Work Pay. This Bill will deliver important benefits for workers in insecure and low-paid jobs. Over 100,000 people in Scotland on zero or low-hour contracts could benefit from the right to guaranteed hours and the right to payment for shifts cancelled, moved or cut at short notice.
This week I am holding a drop-in event to help constituents prepare for winter. It will be held in the Whiteinch Centre and will be attended by energy companies, local councillors and the Citizens Advice Bureau. The aim is to ensure that local people have as much advice and practical support as possible before winter arrives. I plan to hold further such events in other areas soon.
If you would like an appointment to attend one of my local advice surgeries in Anniesland, Knightswood, Drumchapel, Partick or Whiteinch, please call, 0141 370 2324 and one of my team will make the arrangements for you. Look out for further information soon about how to sign up for regular newsletters.
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