How the Autumn Budget Delivers for Stirling & Strathallan

Yesterday’s UK Budget was one of the most significant in recent years, setting out plans to tackle the cost of living, invest in jobs and skills, and unlock Scotland’s potential. For families in Stirling & Strathallan, this is a Budget that delivers real, tangible benefits.

For too long, households have faced rising bills and squeezed incomes. This Budget changes that. It puts money back in people’s pockets, supports public services, and backs Scottish industry for the future. Here’s what it means for you.

Lower Energy Bills for Working Families

Energy costs have been one of the biggest pressures on household budgets. The UK Government is taking action by cutting bills by £150 a year for every household. Combined with the Warm Homes Discount, that’s up to £300 off energy costs for those who need it most.

This is practical help for families across Stirling & Strathallan, easing the pressure and making sure people aren’t forced to choose between heating and eating.

The Biggest Child Poverty Reduction in a Generation

Scrapping the two-child benefit cap will lift up to 95,000 children in 27,000 Scottish households out of poverty. That’s the single biggest reduction in child poverty announced at any Budget this century.

For families in our communities, this means more security, more opportunity, and a fairer start for every child.

Backing Scotland’s Public Services

The Budget delivers an extra £820 million for Scotland’s public services, taking total additional funding since the UK Government took office to £10.3 billion. That means more investment in schools, hospitals, and local services that people rely on every day.

Putting More Money in Your Pocket

• National Living Wage rises by 4.1%, and National Minimum Wage by 8.5%, building on April’s increases that already benefitted 220,000 Scottish workers.

• Universal Credit Standard Allowance will rise by 6.1%,  the first permanent real-terms increase.

• State Pension will increase by 4.8% from April 2026, helping 1.1 million pensioners in Scotland.

These changes mean higher wages, stronger safety nets, and dignity in retirement.

Support for Drivers

The fuel duty freeze continues, saving the average driver £89 next year, welcome news for rural communities and commuters across Stirling & Strathallan.

Opportunities for Young People

A new Youth Guarantee will ensure every eligible 18–21-year-old on Universal Credit for 18 months gets a six-month paid work placement. This is about giving young people the chance to build skills and start their careers.

Investing in Scottish Industry

The Budget backs Scottish jobs with:

• £14.5 million for Grangemouth (to add to the £200 million announced last year)

• £20 million for Kirkcaldy town centre regeneration

• £20 million for Inchgreen Dry Dock

And for oil and gas workers, new Transitional Energy Certificates and a Jobs Brokerage Service will support career transitions and help grow the green industries of the future.

What This Means for Stirling & Strathallan

This Budget is about unlocking Scotland’s potential, helping families with the cost of living, investing in jobs and skills, and backing public services. It’s a plan to deliver support where it’s needed most and build a stronger, fairer economy for the future.

For Stirling & Strathallan, that means lower bills, better wages, and more opportunities for young people. It means investment in Scottish industry and a clear commitment to public services. In short, it’s a Budget that delivers for our communities.

Chris commented:

“I welcome the Chancellor’s Budget announced yesterday. This is a Budget that delivers for working people across the country and here in Stirling & Strathallan. By reducing energy bills, raising wages, and investing in public services, it puts more money in the pockets of families and creates opportunities for young people.”

“With an extra £820 million for the Scottish Government, taking total additional funding since the UK Government took office to £10.3 billion. It is now the job of the Scottish Government to deliver the practical public services improvements we need.  I know many people across Stirling & Strathallan are worried about our public services.  Too many people are on NHS waiting lists, parents are concerned over cuts to education, social care for our older people is being stretched too thin, and overall, our local authorities are struggling significantly.”

“The Scottish Government now have the funds to invest in these public services.  They must ensure that funding is directed to those most in need, and they must now bring forward the policy ideas to transform our public services for the better.”

Read the full budget and supporting documents here.

Watch the Chancellor’s full budget statement here.