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
Reform of the NHS 10th February 2021 I was surprised to read of possible plans to undertake another reorganisation of the NHS. Apparently the government is thinking of reversing some of the changes... Westminster News
Wokingham Borough Council Lateral Flow Testing Programme - Key Facts 7th February 2021 WBC has opened community testing centres in Wokingham and at Thames Valley Business Park to carry out lateral flow testing. A further centre will follow in... Local News
Keeping the lights on 6th February 2021 The government’s ambitious plans to move to net zero require the widespread adoption of electric cars, electric heating and much else that will need more power... Westminster News
The long road to net zero 6th February 2021 We will soon hear of the Earth Summit in April to be set up by the USA. It will be followed by the Petersberg Group on climate change in May and the G7 in June... Westminster News
Cutting wood miles? Let’s make use of the government’s enthusiasm for more trees. 5th February 2021 I asked some questions to pursue the issue of increased UK timber production. I was aware of the government plans to promote the planting of many more trees as... Written Questions News
Solar Energy Plans for Barkham 3rd February 2021 The vision for a net carbon zero Wokingham Borough is starting to look a lot closer now as Wokingham Borough Council shares its ideas for a new solar farm in... Local News
Rapid response offers financial support to nurseries and pre-schools 3rd February 2021 “Nurseries, pre-schools and childminders play an essential role in supporting our youngest members of society, and many providers are small businesses that do... Local News
The need to make and grow things at home – national resilience 3rd February 2021 The UK fought two massive and bruising wars in the last century. On both occasions the UK state declared war on Germany without having the military resources in... Westminster News
Free trade and the retreat from globalisation 3rd February 2021 I accept the theory of free trade, that all nations would be richer if they traded freely with each other. Successive rounds of GATT followed by the work of the... Westminster 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
