Cat Eccles, Labour MP for Stourbridge, has welcomed the Government’s 2025 Budget, which sets out a package of measures aimed at easing the cost of living, supporting working families, and giving every child in Stourbridge the best start in life.
Cat praised the Budget as “a turning point for families who have been carrying the weight of rising bills, childcare costs and years of stretched household budgets,” highlighting key commitments including:
• Ending the two-child limit
The Budget confirms the removal of the two-child limit, a policy Cat has consistently campaigned against for disproportionately pushing children into poverty:
“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.”
• Investment in affordable childcare
Significant new investment will expand access to childcare for working parents, helping reduce costs and support parents back into work:
“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.”
• Expansion of free breakfast clubs and free school meals
The Budget includes funding to ensure 2,000 more primary schools can offer free breakfast clubs next year, alongside an expansion of free school meals for children from lower-income households, which will lift 100,000 children out of poverty:
“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.”
• Help with energy bills
Further targeted support will be provided to households struggling with energy costs, and measures will accelerate the transition to cheaper, cleaner home energy:
“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. And that’s on top of the Winter Fuel Allowance of up to £300 for thousands of local pensioners.”
• Freeze on bus and rail fares
A nationwide freeze on rail fares and the extension of the £3 cap on bus fares will help reduce travel costs for commuters, students and jobseekers:
“Reliable, affordable public transport is essential for our community. Freezing fares means people can get to work, school and vital services without watching their travel costs climb even higher.”
Cat added:
“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.”
ENDS
Photo attached: Cat Eccles MP holding copy of the Labour Government’s 2025 Budget
