A Labour Budget delivering for Birmingham Edgbaston

28 October 2026

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This is a Labour Budget that backs working people, helping with energy bills, keeping fuel duty down, supporting our high streets and helping more people afford a home.

For families and businesses across Birmingham Edgbaston, it offers breathing space today while investing in jobs, homes and opportunities for the future.

Help with energy bills

Eligible households in council tax Bands A to D will receive a £100 Household Energy Payment directly into their bank accounts in January.

That’s 41,610 properties in those bands in Birmingham Edgbaston. That could mean £4.16 million of support across our community, helping people meet an essential household cost.

The Chancellor is also extending 0% VAT on electricity bills until 30 June 2027, reducing the April 2027 annual energy price cap by around £50, and providing £100 million nationally for councils to support households in greatest need.

Ofgem will work to abolish gas standing charges and move the costs into unit prices. An estimated 60% of households will save an average of £45 a year, with targeted protection for some vulnerable households.

Keeping fuel duty down and supporting people who drive for work

The 5p fuel duty cut and freeze in rates will continue until 1 July 2027.

For people who need their car for work, the Chancellor is also making more generous mileage rates permanent, 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles, with the rate above that increasing to 35p from April 2027.

That matters to care workers, community nurses, tradespeople and self employed residents travelling between jobs and appointments.

Higher wages and help with everyday costs

From April 2027, the National Living Wage will rise by 3.9% to £13.21 an hour an increase of around £910 in gross annual earnings for a full time worker on that rate.

Tariffs are also being removed from more than 100 products, helping reduce import costs on everyday essentials.

These measures recognise that working people need both fair pay and action on the costs eating into their household budgets.

Breakfast clubs in 12 local schools

Alongside the Budget measures, 12 schools in Birmingham Edgbaston have received breakfast club funding, helping children start the day fed and ready to learn.

As a former social worker, I know how much a settled start to the school day matters. Free breakfast clubs also give parents valuable time in the morning, helping them balance work and family responsibilities.

Children can access at least 30 minutes of free breakfast club provision each school day.

Backing our high streets and local businesses

Labour’s £1 billion business rates package means retail, hospitality and leisure properties in England will see their rates frozen in real terms, reduced or cut to zero.

The package includes:

* A two-year real terms freeze, capping bill increases at inflation.

* An extra 20% business rates cut for pubs and all but the largest live music venues, bringing their average tax cut to over £3,000.

* An increase in the threshold for full small business rates relief for eligible businesses from £12,000 to £18,000.

Around 70,000 additional high street businesses nationally will be taken out of business rates altogether. More than half of retail, hospitality and leisure properties will pay no business rates.

For our shops, restaurants, cafés, pubs and independent businesses, this is support with running costs and more room to invest in their future.

The Budget also triples the trading allowance from £1,000 to £3,000, supporting people starting a small venture.

Helping people secure a home

The Budget commits £4.7 billion to Your First Home, expected to help around 70,000 first time buyers nationally.

Launching next spring, the scheme will help eligible buyers purchase a participating new build home with a 2.5% deposit, supported by a 20% government equity loan with an initial interest free period.

For people who cannot rely on family help with a deposit, this offers a practical route towards homeownership.

A new First Time Buyer ISA will provide a 25% government bonus towards savings. The Lifetime ISA withdrawal charge is also being reduced to 20% for first-time buyers purchasing above the £450,000 property price cap, protecting their own contributions and associated investment growth.

The Chancellor is also providing £1.5 billion extra for social and affordable housing, intended to deliver 10,000 additional homes nationally. People need access to secure, affordable rented homes as well as opportunities to buy.

Investing in jobs and our community’s future

More than £20 billion of additional capital for the National Wealth Fund and British Business Bank will support investment and business growth.

Local leaders will receive greater powers over their economic futures, alongside £285 million for Good Growth Funds nationally, putting more decisions closer to the communities they affect.

For Birmingham Edgbaston and the wider West Midlands, my priority is to see that investment translate into good jobs, stronger businesses and opportunities for young people.

The Budget also fully funds the £15 billion Defence Investment Plan, strengthening our national security.

Labour choices, delivering for working people

The pressures families face will not disappear overnight. But government decisions make a difference, help with energy bills, lower fuel costs than otherwise planned, higher wages, breakfast clubs, support for local businesses and more opportunities to secure a home.

These choices are built on fiscal discipline, giving us the foundations to invest in the country’s future.

As someone born and raised in Birmingham Edgbaston, I want our community to feel the benefits of a Labour Government in everyday life.

That means breathing space for families and businesses today and fresh hope for the future.

Preet Kaur Gill MP