Personal Finance

Paul McLennan MSP

Personal Finance

Paul McLennan MSP column - Making sure pensioners get financial support

Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey holds up the traditional red ministerial box as he leaves 11 Downing Street, London, before delivering his first Budget to the Houses of Parliament.

Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey holds up the traditional red ministerial box as he leaves 11 Downing Street, London, before delivering his first Budget to the Houses of Parliament.

Minimum wage to increase to £13.20 an hour as John Healey announces Budget pay boost

Plenty of selfies were taken with the famed Olympian on the day

Plenty of selfies were taken with the famed Olympian on the day

Olympic champion Duncan Scott shares his story with East Lothian pupils

The latest ‘One Stop Shop’ event at Prestonpans Community Centre on October 8 brought together 30 organisations

The latest ‘One Stop Shop’ event at Prestonpans Community Centre on October 8 brought together 30 organisations

Personal Finance

East Lothian information hubs praised for bringing support under one roof

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden as 80,000 people have joined calls to lower the state pension age to 65

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden as 80,000 people have joined calls to lower the state pension age to 65

Department for Work and Pensions

DWP State Pension age row deepens as 80,000 demand retirement at 65

Viki Mendelsson, Sonya Cunningham and John Darlington, founders of MyPetCard

Viki Mendelsson, Sonya Cunningham and John Darlington, founders of MyPetCard

72-year-old comes out of retirement to launch pet insurance alternative

The service can be accessed through home visits, face-to-face meetings at the Musselburgh office, telephone, or online appointments.

The service can be accessed through home visits, face-to-face meetings at the Musselburgh office, telephone, or online appointments.

Personal Finance

New energy advice project launches to support East Lothian residents

The number of pensioners paying income tax has jumped to 8.8 million, with older people handing HMRC £29.8bn as frozen tax thresholds continue to bite.

The number of pensioners paying income tax has jumped to 8.8 million, with older people handing HMRC £29.8bn as frozen tax thresholds continue to bite.

£30bn HMRC bombshell as millions more pensioners dragged into paying tax

Tesco is bringing back free apples for children in more than 800 stores this summer, alongside free kids' café meals and extra help for struggling families.

Tesco is bringing back free apples for children in more than 800 stores this summer, alongside free kids' café meals and extra help for struggling families.

Summer holidays

Tesco brings back free fruit for kids this summer in popular move with families

From Tesco and Asda to Bella Italia, Harvester and Subway, here's where kids eat free and £1 meal deals available during the summer holidays.

From Tesco and Asda to Bella Italia, Harvester and Subway, here's where kids eat free and £1 meal deals available during the summer holidays.

Family Days Out

The best kids eat free offers this summer at Bella Italia, Harvester, Subway and more

HMRC figures show more than 10 million people aged 65 and over now pay income tax as frozen tax thresholds pull more pensioners into the tax system.

HMRC figures show more than 10 million people aged 65 and over now pay income tax as frozen tax thresholds pull more pensioners into the tax system.

Department for Work and Pensions

Seven in 10 pensioners must now pay income tax in new record, HMRC data reveals

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves as plans shared in a new report could bring forward the State Pension age rise to 68 by seven years, affecting millions currently in their late 40s and early 50s.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves as plans shared in a new report could bring forward the State Pension age rise to 68 by seven years, affecting millions currently in their late 40s and early 50s.

Department for Work and Pensions

Born in the 1970s? New report says State Pension Age change could come 7 years early

Paul McLennan MSP opened the new banking hub last Friday alongside Christiane Maher from North Berwick Community Council

Paul McLennan MSP opened the new banking hub last Friday alongside Christiane Maher from North Berwick Community Council

Former cycling shop transformed into new North Berwick banking hub

A cash machine could be put in place on Haddington High Street

A cash machine could be put in place on Haddington High Street

Personal Finance

Cash machine could be installed in shop on historic High Street

Haddington's Bank of Scotland closed its doors this week

Haddington's Bank of Scotland closed its doors this week

Newly closed bank announces plan to retain presence in town

New research has revealed findings about 'purchasing power' in East Lothian

New research has revealed findings about 'purchasing power' in East Lothian

Personal Finance

Purchasing power down in East Lothian as spending rises faster than salary

Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport

Drop-off and pick-up charge at Edinburgh Airport to increase to £8.50

Nationwide is leading UK bank switching gains, helped by its £100 payout to members as switching levels surge by 43%.

Nationwide is leading UK bank switching gains, helped by its £100 payout to members as switching levels surge by 43%.

Nationwide Building Society

Millions could get £100 as Nationwide tops switching charts again

PureGym aims to open its first branch in East Lothian later this summer

PureGym aims to open its first branch in East Lothian later this summer

East Lothian given a lift by major gym and fitness operator coming to town

Haddington's Bank of Scotland is due to close its doors later this summer

Haddington's Bank of Scotland is due to close its doors later this summer

Personal Finance

Bank's withdrawal from town takes a step closer

Martin Lewis urges households to fix energy deals now, warning the price cap could rise by 16% and bills may surge in the coming months.

Martin Lewis urges households to fix energy deals now, warning the price cap could rise by 16% and bills may surge in the coming months.

Martin Lewis urges 'don't ignore this' and reveals window to beat huge energy bills

Personal Finance

Free taxi rides will be up for grabs in Edinburgh city centre on Tuesday

Treasury officials are understood to be working with NS&I to determine the exact amount to be given to customers

Treasury officials are understood to be working with NS&I to determine the exact amount to be given to customers

Personal Finance

NS&I apologises as millions set to be paid to customers in compensation

Rising energy, fuel and food costs - How the Gulf conflict could affect you

The budget meeting was held at Haddington Town House today

The budget meeting was held at Haddington Town House today

Council tax in East Lothian to rise by 7.5 per cent as budget approved

Rents are set to rise in East Lothian

Rents are set to rise in East Lothian

Local government

Council tenants' rents to increase seven per cent, despite call for larger rise

The banking hub has found a permanent home in the former premises of Law Cycles, which closed last month

The banking hub has found a permanent home in the former premises of Law Cycles, which closed last month

'Permanent home' confirmed for town's banking hub

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, as the full list of DWP benefit increases for 2026/27, including State Pension under the Triple Lock, Universal Credit, disability benefits and Carer’s Allowance has now been published

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, as the full list of DWP benefit increases for 2026/27, including State Pension under the Triple Lock, Universal Credit, disability benefits and Carer’s Allowance has now been published

DWP confirms full list of benefit and pension increases from April 2026

Nationwide attracted more than 41,000 customers in the most recent reporting period, topping the UK switching tables as Q4 2025 became the busiest quarter of the year.

Nationwide attracted more than 41,000 customers in the most recent reporting period, topping the UK switching tables as Q4 2025 became the busiest quarter of the year.

Banbridge Open Long Course Meet

Nationwide gives £175 free cash to 40,000 customers and offer is 'still running'

The Bank of Scotland on Court Street will close its doors in June

The Bank of Scotland on Court Street will close its doors in June

Yet another bank closure - Bank of Scotland to shut in Haddington this summer

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves (centre) poses outside 11 Downing Street, London, with her ministerial red box, with (left to right) Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Dan Tomlinson, Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby, Chief

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves (centre) poses outside 11 Downing Street, London, with her ministerial red box, with (left to right) Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Dan Tomlinson, Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby, Chief

Department for Works and Pensions

HMRC Personal Allowance update: Millions of pensioners spared State Pension tax

The new banking hub could be located inside the Law Road premises currently occupied by Law Cycles

The new banking hub could be located inside the Law Road premises currently occupied by Law Cycles

New permanent banking hub in North Berwick expected to open in spring

Prestonpans Community Centre will host the Information hub next month

Prestonpans Community Centre will host the Information hub next month

One-stop information hubs return to East Lothian, starting with Prestonpans event

Martin Lewis has shared his top tips for bagging a £100 Nationwide Fairer Share bonus in 2026

Martin Lewis has shared his top tips for bagging a £100 Nationwide Fairer Share bonus in 2026

Martin Lewis explains how to boost your chance of £100 Nationwide Fairer Share payout

People are being urged to make a simple change to the way they heat their homes in order to save money on their energy bills.

People are being urged to make a simple change to the way they heat their homes in order to save money on their energy bills.

Heating engineer shares 'simple and effective' energy hack to cut bills fast

How to stretch your supermarket loyalty card rewards for the big Christmas food shop

How to stretch your supermarket loyalty card rewards for the big Christmas food shop

How to stretch your supermarket loyalty card rewards for the big Christmas food shop

Volunteers are needed to help carry out home heat surveys in the Musselburgh area

Volunteers are needed to help carry out home heat surveys in the Musselburgh area

Personal Finance

Volunteers needed to use thermal cameras to help people keep their homes warm

The Fraser Centre, Tranent

The Fraser Centre, Tranent

Information hub to bring together charities, community groups and services

The exterior of East Lothian Foodbank has been decorated by artist Buchanan Brushworks to advertise the campaign

The exterior of East Lothian Foodbank has been decorated by artist Buchanan Brushworks to advertise the campaign

'It has been a really tough year': Foodbank's plea for help as winter appeal launched

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves poses outside 11 Downing Street, London, with her ministerial red box, before delivering her Budget in the House of Commons.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves poses outside 11 Downing Street, London, with her ministerial red box, before delivering her Budget in the House of Commons.

Budget cash ISA limit cut to £12,000 may not encourage investment say experts

Rumours are circulating that Fuel Duty will be increased by 5p per litre in this week's budget. Other rumours include 3p pay-per-mile for EVs and the return of the fuel price escalator.

Rumours are circulating that Fuel Duty will be increased by 5p per litre in this week's budget. Other rumours include 3p pay-per-mile for EVs and the return of the fuel price escalator.

How to cut your petrol costs as budget fuel duty increase could put 5p on a litre

Food donations for the Pennypit Trust's festive provision

Food donations for the Pennypit Trust's festive provision

Community's help needed as Christmas appeal to feed those in need in county launched

Pensioners will be watching the budget closely ahead of a promised increase from the triple lock manifesto pledge

Pensioners will be watching the budget closely ahead of a promised increase from the triple lock manifesto pledge

How much could your state pension increase by next year?

The cycle to work scheme could be hit by changes in the budget 2025, according to rumours

The cycle to work scheme could be hit by changes in the budget 2025, according to rumours

The Salary Sacrifice changes to pension and employee perks rumoured for budget 2025

Dunbar's banking hub will open permanently at the former Smith's bakery

Dunbar's banking hub will open permanently at the former Smith's bakery

Banking hub to officially open in permanent home this week

Chris Murray, Edinburgh East and Musselburgh MP

Chris Murray, Edinburgh East and Musselburgh MP

National government

Chris Murray MP column: Fighting to end food inequality

Elaine Morrison, director of East Lothian Foodbank

Elaine Morrison, director of East Lothian Foodbank

'A worrying time' as East Lothian Foodbank reports 'extreme drop' in donations

The banking hub staff. From left: Craig Robertson, Aumir Javed and Bushra Javed

The banking hub staff. From left: Craig Robertson, Aumir Javed and Bushra Javed

People flock to new temporary banking hub after 'unexpectedly busy' first day

The State Pension is set to increase by £500 next year, in a welcome boost for pensioners

The State Pension is set to increase by £500 next year, in a welcome boost for pensioners

DWP State Pension set to rise by more than £500 from April, figures suggest

The East Lothian Foodbank team after completing their challenge. From left: Barbara Hippe, Matt Kaney, Grace Baird, Ian Mitchell, Lisa McCart, Kelly Vural and Kathy Allan.

The East Lothian Foodbank team after completing their challenge. From left: Barbara Hippe, Matt Kaney, Grace Baird, Ian Mitchell, Lisa McCart, Kelly Vural and Kathy Allan.

Team tackle inflatable obstacle course for foodbank as donations drop

The banking hub will open at the former Bank of Scotland building

The banking hub will open at the former Bank of Scotland building

New temporary banking hub in North Berwick set to open this Friday

Tranent Library school uniform rail

Tranent Library school uniform rail

Help for families as school uniforms available for free in Tranent

More than 2,000 families in East Lothian in the last year have applied for the Best Start Grant - School Age Payment benefit

More than 2,000 families in East Lothian in the last year have applied for the Best Start Grant - School Age Payment benefit

Families 'encouraged' to claim £300 payment for children starting school

Could you be sitting on a cash windfall? £100m in Premium Bond prizes lie unclaimed

Could you be sitting on a cash windfall? £100m in Premium Bond prizes lie unclaimed

More than £100 million Premium Bonds winnings unclaimed - are you owed a prize?