Margaret Mullane MP has welcomed measures announced in this week’s Budget that will help ease the financial struggles for families in Dagenham and Rainham.
In response to the energy shock and inflated prices caused by global events, the government has responded with some breathing space for hard pressed families. In addition to removing VAT on electricity bills until July 2027, the Chancellor announced that households living in Bands A-D homes will receive a £100 Council Tax rebate to help with energy costs this winter.
Margaret said: “This is welcome news for the 44,340 qualifying households in Dagenham and Rainham, and combined with other measures from our Labour government, my hope is that we make some headway in tackling energy debt and fuel poverty at a time of global uncertainty.”
The suite of measures announced by the Chancellor also included plans to activate the purpose-built platforms at Stratford International so that residents of East London have easier access to the Eurostar. Whilst welcoming the plans, the local MP reflected on unfulfilled transport promises at Beam Park.
Margaret added: “The economic benefits of this will undoubtedly be far reaching, and I take nothing away from that. Yet, whilst East London rides on the prospect of high-speed trains to France, my constituents living at Beam Park are still waiting for the train to Fenchurch Street. In fact, they are still waiting for a station.
I’m hopeful that this renewed focus on transport infrastructure in London will lend itself to my campaign to deliver Beam Park station. I will not stop fighting until I have delivered on the broken promises of the last Tory government.”
Margaret also welcomed measures to double taxation on bank profits to 6% helping to stabilise the economy, boost local high streets by freezing business rates – removing 33% of small businesses from paying business rates altogether, and for the first time ever, introducing paid paternity leave for self-employed tradespeople.
Margaret concluded: “As the Deputy Chair of the APPG for Tradespeople I am over the moon that from April 2029 thousands of plumbers, electricians, brickies, and other tradesmen will benefit from paid paternity leave giving dads more chance to be there at the start of family life when it matters most.
Overall, this was a Budget the government can be proud of. A Labour Budget. A Budget that delivers respite for today and fresh hope for the future.”