Labour Budget Strains Wokingham Charities Tuesday, 5 November, 2024 by Cllr George Evans The recent Labour budget has introduced significant financial pressures for Wokingham’s charity sector, which plays a crucial role in supporting our community’s most vulnerable residents. Local charities, which already operate on lean budgets, are now grappling with the increased costs from national insurance contributions and the minimum wage hike. These changes place an... Local News
Why are we waiting? 18th January 2021 I read that the Chancellor has been charged with chairing a Committee to take advantage of the freedoms we gain from leaving the EU. I wish him well, as there... Westminster News
Death Rates 16th January 2021 The official figures for death rates in the UK show that the death rate in 2020 was considerably higher than in recent years. They also show, contrary to some... Westminster News
Government borrowing 15th January 2021 A contributor asked for an update on government debt. The UK had a difficult borrowing problem in the IMF crash of the mid 1970s when the country ran out of... Westminster News
My speech during the debate on Covid-19, 12 January 2021 13th January 2021 We have done many more tests than many other countries, and I pay tribute to Ministers and the NHS for all the hard work that has gone into achieving that. We... Speeches in Parliament
Sort out the Northern Ireland border 13th January 2021 Yesterday I asked the government to legislate to ensure smooth passage of goods between GB and Northern Ireland. The government promised us we were taking back... Westminster News
Urgent Question on the Northern Ireland Protocol: Disruption to Trade 13th January 2021 My question during the Urgent Question on the Northern Ireland Protocol: Disruption to Trade, 13 January 2021 Sir John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): Will my right... Written Questions News
Recovering from the virus 12th January 2021 The ever tightening lockdowns increase the damage to businesses requiring social contact. They delay the start of recovery and make the loss of more small... Westminster News
£8million road resurfacing programme continues 12th January 2021 Investing in resurfacing key transport routes across the area will help to ensure when road use increases again we’ll be able to provide even more of our... Local News
Helping younger people into work 12th January 2021 Brilliant news of help for young adults who have been struggling to find work! WBC's involvement in the Kickstart Scheme will provide a life-changing... Local News
We’re extending coronavirus testing to meet our 100,000 tests a day target 30th April 2020 From today, Coronavirus testing has been extended further to protect our most vulnerable and keep people safe. National News
How our Bounce Back Loans will boost small businesses affected by coronavirus 28th April 2020 Small businesses will benefit from a new fast-track finance scheme providing loans with a 100% government-backed guarantee for lenders, the Chancellor announced... National News
Boris Johnson: If we keep going, we will beat coronavirus together 27th April 2020 The Prime Minister has returned to Downing Street to lead the country in tackling coronavirus. He lays out the five tests for when we are moving to phase two of... National News
Coronavirus testing available to all essential workers 24th April 2020 All essential workers in England and members of their households who are showing symptoms of coronavirus will now be able to get tested. National News
Our Future Fund for supporting innovative British businesses 21st April 2020 We’re supporting start-ups by delivering £250m of new government funding to innovative businesses across the United Kingdom. National News
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has opened for applications 21st April 2020 The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has opened for applications – and will provide support for millions of businesses and employees across the UK. National News