Pay attention to a welcome boost

RACHEL Reeves will finally announce the long-awaited UK Budget today and there is widespread hope she will help Scots reduce their winter heating bills.

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Last night, in a pre-Budget boost, the Chancellor got off on the right foot by announcing a wage rise for low-paid workers.

From next April, the National Living Wage will rise by 4.1 per cent to £12.71 an hour for eligible workers aged 21 and over. And the National Minimum Wage rate for 18to 20-year-olds will increase by 8.5 per cent to £10.85 an hour, narrowing the gap with the National Living Wage.