Mike Macleod, the Scottish Labour & Co-operative Party Prospective Scottish Parliamentary Candidate for Orkney has warmly welcomed the UK Labour Government’s Budget measures which he says will cut Child Poverty by the largest amount this century.  The removal of the Two-Child Benefit Limit will help raise up to 95,000 children out of poverty across Scotland.

Mr Macleod stated –

“The Conservatives (who introduced the discriminatory Two-Child Benefit Cap in the first place), and Reform have no answer to this simple moral argument – It was never the fault of the children who have lost out on benefits until now, that their parents were poor.  And these children should never have been victimized to begin with.”

The SNP Scottish Government mitigated the 2 Child Benefit Cap (aka the Rape Clause) so that no child was discriminated against in Scotland. The UK Labour Government’s measures will come into effect in April 2026.

Scottish Child Benefit Supporting 740 Children in Orkney

Orkney’s Labour candidate stated that amongst other measures to improve living standards for the poorest in society are a 6.1% increase in Universal Credit Standard Allowance, a 4.1% increase in the National Living Wage and a 8.5% boost in the National Minimum Wage – meaning a £1,500 raise for a full-time worker.

And he continued that there will be an above-inflation 4.8% increase in the State Pension from April 2026, raising incomes for 1.1 million pensioners in Scotland.  For every household, there will be an average £150 reduction in Energy Bills, while those who qualify for the Warm Homes Discount will get a further £150.  Meaning a £300 saving in annual energy costs for those who need it most.

Mike Macleod said –

“The Conservatives and Reform offer only the politics of division and selfishness.  Instead, we need more compassion in our society.  Labour is now able to start delivering this and ensure Britain works for everyone.”