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Oxford and Reading are best cities in which to live and work in the UK

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Oxford has been recognised as the top performing city in the UK to live and work for the fourth year in a row in a nationwide study carried out by PwC. The city has emerged ahead of Reading thanks to work-life balance, income, transport and skills with Bradford being crowned as the most improved city. Published today (12 November 2019), the annual Demos-PwC Good Growth for Cities 2019 sets out to show there’s more to economic well-being than just measuring GDP. The index measures the performance of 42 of the UK’s largest cities, England’s Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and ten Combined Authorities, against a basket of ten factors which the public think are most important when it comes to economic well being. These include jobs, health, income and skills, as well as work-life balance, house-affordability, travel-to-work times, income equality, environment and business start-ups.

For the fourth year running, Oxford and Reading have been named the top-performing cities on PwC’s Good Growth for Cities 2019 index, followed by Southampton in third place. Although Reading has maintained its position in this year’s index, it has seen a decline in its overall index score, driven by lower house price to earnings ratios, income inequality and a fall in new businesses created.

Bradford emerged as this year’s top improver, driven by jobs, work-life balance and skills amongst its 25+ year olds. Bradford has experienced a large reduction in its unemployment rate, measured at 4.1 percent in 2018 compared to 10 percent in 2015. The city also demonstrated moderate improvements in work-life balance, health, environment and skills amongst the adult population.

The index is based on 11 indicators around life, work, wellbeing and economic performance and is measured annually across 42 UK cities.

Indicators include job creation, health, income, skills, housing affordability, housing ownership, transport, work-life balance, the environment, income inequality and the number of new business start-ups.

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Reading Labour MPs Vote Against Assisted Dying Bill

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Terminally-Ill-Adults-Bill

A deeply emotional and historic vote took place this week. The House of Commons approved the Terminally Ill Adults Bill—law that proposes to grant terminally ill persons under English and Welsh jurisdiction the right to have assisted death by a medical practitioner if it should pass the House of Lords.

The bill passed with a thin majority of 314 votes to 291 and sparked national debates brimming with saxophonic emotion. It was a free vote; that is, members of Parliament could vote according to conscience, and the party was not expected to bind them. The bill secured the support of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer but apparently was rejected by Leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch and Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

All three of Reading’s Labour MPs, Matt Rodda (Reading Central), Olivia Bailey (Reading West and Mid Berkshire), and Yuan Yang (Earley and Woodley), voted against the bill. They may well have objections rooted in such concerns as the safeguarding of vulnerable people, possible pressure being put on those with life-limiting conditions, and just the sheer moral gravity of a change of that kind.

For many people in Reading and elsewhere, this bill goes well beyond politics. It arises out of dignity, choice, and compassion for the hardest moment. Respect goes to those who voted with care and conviction; passing of this bill has been another step toward giving people in unbearable suffering the freedom to choose how and when their life ends-on their terms, with support, been one of the options, and without pain. It’s a difficult subject to deal with, but at its basic level, one of a few simple human desires is to die with dignity.

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Reading Buses Fares to Rise from 2nd June as Government Cuts Funding

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Reading buses

From Sunday 2 June, fare adjustments will take effect across the Reading Buses network. Updated pricing details are outlined below.

These changes have been introduced in response to rising operational costs, including higher employer National Insurance contributions and changes in government support. For most passengers, the fare increase will be minimal. In many cases, customers can avoid the higher fares by choosing multi-journey, weekly, or season tickets.

Government Fare Cap

On routes where single fares exceed £3, prices will continue to be capped at £3 as part of the UK Government’s Help for Households initiative.

Changes to Reading All-Bus Tickets

Government funding that previously subsidised the Reading All-Bus day ticket ended in March. As a result of this and increasing costs, some All-Bus ticket prices have been raised.


Updated Fare Information

Single Fares within Reading
Single journey fares will increase by 10p.

simplyReading Day Tickets

  • Adult: £4.50 via the app or contactless tap on, tap off; £5 if purchased from the driver
  • Boost (for young people): £4, available both via the app and from the driver
  • Group ticket (valid for up to 4 people):
    • £8 during off-peak hours (after 9.30am on weekdays, and all day on weekends and bank holidays)
    • £10 during peak hours (before 9.30am on weekdays)
    • Available on the app and from the driver

Reading All-Bus Tickets
Valid for travel on Reading Buses, Thames Valley Buses, Carousel Buses, and Thames Travel within the simplyReading zone.

  • Adult: £4.90 via the app or tap on, tap off; £5.40 from the driver,
    (Currently, it costs £4 on the app and £4.50 on the bus)
  • Young person (under 18): £4.20 (currently £3 if bought on the app)
  • Group ticket: £8.80 off-peak / £10.80 peak

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Opinion: Reading’s RingGo-Only Parking System Is Ridiculous, Not Revolutionary

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Reading Borough Council’s recent move to scrap cash and card payments for parking in favour of RingGo-only app payments isn’t just inconvenient — it’s verging on the ridiculous.

Across the town, parking machines have been “covered” — not with proper signage or professional notices — but with what look like black bin bags and hastily stuck-on paper notes held in place with bits of sellotape. These make-do signs read: “This machine is only accepting RingGo payments. Location code…” as if that explains everything.

Frankly, it’s comical — if not insulting. This slapdash presentation makes a mockery of a serious change that impacts thousands of residents, workers, and visitors.

The council claims the shift will save money, cutting annual costs from £44,000 to a leaner £29,000 by removing cash collection and maintenance fees. But what about the cost to the public?

Not everyone owns a smartphone. Not everyone is comfortable navigating apps or calling an automated line to pay for a simple parking space. This move sidelines the elderly, the less tech-savvy, and anyone without reliable access to mobile data and tourists unfamiliar with the app.

Worse still, these makeshift signs — flimsy bits of paper stuck to bin bags — give the impression of a temporary issue, not a carefully considered, permanent change. It’s a poor substitute for clear communication and thoughtful planning.

Yes, the council wants to modernise and save money. But that shouldn’t come at the expense of accessibility and common sense. Reading deserves a parking system that works for everyone — not just those who have the right app and enough battery.

If the council insists on digital-first, it must still provide physical, well-marked options and a respectful transition. Bin bags and sellotape won’t cut it.

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