THE Chancellor's Spring Budget must deliver for families in Dunfermline and West Fife suffering from a "toxic mix" of rising costs.

That's according to MP Douglas Chapman, who says that many people living in the area are already deciding between paying their rent and turning on their heating.

Jeremy Hunt will deliver his Budget on Wednesday and is expected to focus on measures that will get various people back to work as part of a wider push to boost growth.

Matters such as energy bill prices, pensions and fuel prices are just a few forecast to be mentioned.

Recent polling carried out by Survation in partnership with campaign group 38Degrees revealed that 21 per cent of households in Dunfermline and West Fife have missed payments in the last six months, while 40 per cent have been unable to afford to turn their heating on.

It also found that 23 per cent are worried about having to use a foodbank.

Mr Chapman said: "All eyes are on this week’s budget to see what support is on offer to assist households through a cost-of-living crisis of the Tories’ making.

"People and families in Dunfermline and West Fife are suffering from a toxic mix of inflation, soaring energy costs, rising mortgage rates, and Tory austerity and cannot afford continued inaction from the UK government.

"If the Chancellor wants to provide he can start by cutting the Energy Price Guarantee to £2000 and maintaining the £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme to the summer, a move that would save households £1,400.

"The fact 21 per cent of my constituents are missing rent payments, 40% are living without heating through the cold months, and 23 per cent are relying on foodbanks is a disgrace that should shame the Tories into taking serious action – but I won't hold my breath."

He added: "These figures have soared, like costs, under Westminster Tory rule and we’re unlikely to see what families desperately need from a party that throughout its existence has lacked the political will to help the most vulnerable.

"In Scotland we've used our limited powers to support households, including with the introduction of the Scottish Child payment, described as 'game-changing' by leading charities. But it shouldn't be for the SNP Scottish Government to constantly have to mitigate the worst of Tory rule.

"The impact of the Tory-made cost of living crisis has set out further proof that only with the full powers of independence can we offer real support through difficult times and secure just economic prosperity that works for everyone in our society.”

A key part of Jeremy Hunt’s plan is expected to focus on efforts to encourage the over-50s, the long-term sick and disabled, and benefits claimants back into the workplace.

It has also been predicted that the planned £500 hike in average energy bills will be cancelled, in a move that would see bills for the average household staying at around £2,500, instead of going up to £3,000 as was previously announced.