MPs say Chancellor has unveiled a 'fair Budget for the people of Falkirk district'

Euan Stainbank, MP for Falkirk, and Brian Leishman, who represents Alloa and Grangemouth, were both delighted at the £14 million of investment announced for low-carbon technologies in Grangemouth to bring new, greener jobs and investment to the area quicker and deliver jobs.

They also welcomed the removal of the two-child benefit cap which they said would benefit the poorest families.

Mr Stainbank said: “Poverty down, energy bills cut, investment up, more for Scottish public services, more for Grangemouth. This is a fair Budget for Falkirk.

“By scrapping the cruel two-child cap and the rape clause, Labour is lifting 95,000 Scottish children out of poverty and turning the page on a decade of decisions that punished families already struggling to get by.

“Thanks to Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour MPs, we have secured £820 million more for Scottish public services. That means more resources for our NHS, our schools and the local services that communities like Falkirk rely on every day.

“We are freezing fuel duty, putting more money into our armed forces and veterans through our commitment to the 2.6 per cent of GDP into the MoD, and cutting £150 off household energy bills, with an extra £300 for those most in need. At a time when far too many families are still feeling the squeeze, this is essential, practical help with the cost of living.

“Best of all for our community, we are investing over £14 million to unlock more investment, faster, in Grangemouth’s industrial future. That funding is about delivering new, secure, well-paid jobs and ensuring that Grangemouth remains an industrial powerhouse for decades to come.

“This is a Budget for the ordinary working people of Falkirk – backing our families, backing our public services and backing our long-term industrial future.”

Speaking immediately after Chancellor Rachel Reeves had delivered her Budget speech in the House of Commons, Brian Leishman said: “It's a real Labour Budget that gives people a wage rise – both in the minimum wage and in the living wage, it reduces poverty by lifting the two-child cap and helps some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland.

"The Scottish Government are in line to receive £10.3 billion in spending power and pensioners will see more than a £500 increase.

"There is further investment in Grangemouth, and I will continue to press for these new jobs to arrive in the town as quickly as possible.

"And it’s accurate to say that only a Labour government would ever provide pensions justice to ex-miners with the payout of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS). I’m proud to say that my Labour government are looking after ex-miners in Alloa and Grangemouth and all the UK.

"This budget is good news for Scotland and good news for Scottish Labour in the run up to the Holyrood elections.”