THE MP for Stourbridge has welcomed a series of announcements in the budget that she said will "ease cost-of-living pressures for families".
Cat Eccles, Labour MP for Stourbridge, has welcomed the Government’s 2025 Budget, hailing it as “a turning point for families who have been carrying the weight of rising bills, childcare costs and years of stretched household budgets”.
She said the measures, primarily including scrapping the two-child benefit cap, will help lift over 2,500 children in Stourbridge out of poverty.
Among the measures set out last week (November 26), Ms Eccles highlighted key commitments set out by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, including further investment in affordable childcare and the expansion of free breakfast clubs and free school meals.
She said: "Scrapping the two-child limit is a major victory for fairness and for over 2,500 children in Stourbridge who were being penalised simply for the size of their family.
"This is a compassionate and evidence-based change that will lift many families in our community out of hardship.
“Parents in our area tell me every week that childcare costs are one of their biggest barriers.
"This funding means more affordable, accessible childcare places and real support for working families.
“No child should start the school day hungry.
"Free breakfast clubs and expanded school meals mean children can learn, play and thrive - and parents get vital breathing space.
"I'll be working with local schools to ensure all those eligible to apply for the next phase of the breakfast club rollout are encouraged to do so."
As well as these, Ms Eccles also praised the help with energy bills that was mentioned and the freezing of rail and bus fares.
She continued: "With energy bills still too high, this help will make a real difference - especially for pensioners, disabled residents and families on tight budgets.
"The average household will get £150 off energy bills from April, and thousands more across Stourbridge will get an additional £150 this winter thanks to our expansion of the Warm Home Discount.
Ms Eccles concluded: “This Budget shows what happens when we put families first.
"These measures won’t solve everything overnight, but they are a strong and positive step towards easing pressure, restoring security, and rebuilding opportunity for people in Stourbridge.
"I’ll keep working to make sure our community sees every benefit of these changes.”
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