Commenting on today’s UK Budget delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Douglas Alexander MP said:

“Labour has delivered a historic budget for Scotland, and it will deliver huge benefits for people in the Lothian East constituency.

“This is a budget that protects working people, ends the era of austerity, provides billions for investment in our vital public services and prioritises economic growth.

“Here in East Lothian, it will increase the income of thousands of households with the uplift in the National Living Wage, £470 boost in state pensions, and uprating of working age benefits by the rate of inflation.

“The budget also gives the biggest funding boost to Scotland in the history of devolution. But the Scottish Government must use the extra funding wisely and ensure it is invested in our schools, hospitals, and other public services.

“Labour has taken a different path – investment over decline. People in East Lothian voted for change at the General Election, and change is what we have started to deliver.”