A report by a research institute into the prosperity of the UK has found that Wokingham Borough is the most prosperous area of the country.
The Legatum Institute drew this result from Wokingham’s excellent living conditions – the best in the UK – as well as its overall health and enterprise conditions.
The report has been welcomed by the Borough Council’s Conservative administration, hailing it an “excellent result brought about by our policies, and the commitment and dedication of everyone in our local community.”
The Legatum Institute has analysed and ranked all 379 local authorities in the UK, looking at issues ranging from wealth and health to schools and safety.
As well as scoring highly for local living conditions, Wokingham Borough ranked second for health, 13th for social cohesion, and 17th for education.
Other Conservative authorities in Berkshire also ranked highly, with Windsor & Maidenhead at number 18, West Berkshire at number 32, and Bracknell at number 39.
Labour-run authorities in Berkshire did less well, with Slough and Reading coming in at 127th and 156th respectively.
John Halsall, Leader of the Council and the Conservative Group, said:
“It is fantastic that Wokingham Borough has been ranked as the most prosperous authority area in the UK.
“It’s a real testament to the many years of Conservative management of the Council, and to the hard work that so many across our Borough put in every day into making this the best place to live.
“This doesn’t mean that we can ignore the fact that there are poorer pockets in our community.
“One of this Conservative administration’s key priorities is to make sure that people do not get left behind as we rebuild after COVID – that we level up all parts of the Borough.”
