Category Archives: Wokingham and West Berkshire Issues

 Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced  changes to the way that train delays are recorded, benefiting consumers by making it easier to hold train companies serving Wokingham and West Berkshire  to account. Under the old system, trains are considered delayed if they are 5 or 10 minutes late. This will now change to measuring punctuality […]

I have received the enclosed update from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care about pension flexibility for NHS Clinicians: Dear John PENSION FLEXIBILITY FOR NHS CLINICIANS I’m writing to update you on the urgent steps that the Government is taking to resolve the pension tax issue that is affecting delivery of frontline […]

Following representations by many MPs including myself on behalf of constituents, the government has announced a further review of the loan charge. I am reproducing today the letter I have been sent with all the details. As you will see the Treasury say the approach they have adopted towards the loan charge still stays in […]

I met with concerned driver instructors over the planned closure of the Reading test Centre. The Licensing Agency has said it is seeking an alternative site, as they seem to agree with local opinion that we do need an accessible driver testing centre in our area.  Reading is a central location for Wokingham and the […]

I dropped in to our local CAB in  Wokingham to thank the volunteers and to see what are the latest issues and worries. They told me that debt and Council Tax remain lead issues. They asked me to pursue with the Council what more can be done to help with  managing Council Tax debt. I welcome […]

I met with opponents of the Bridge farm quarry today. I confirmed that I am against a quarry in that location, for the reasons set out in the Council’s decision on the application. I will be happy to assist the Council in anyway should this matter go to appeal. I will take up with the Council […]

I am pleased to report that Wokingham Council considered carefully the planning application at bridge Farm and refused permission. Like you I am pleased that they came to this conclusion. Should the decision be appealed I will support the Council as I promised before the decision.

John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): Wokingham and West Berkshire Councils need money for social care and schools. The current funding is not adequate. I am grateful to the Chancellor. This is very welcome. Does he agree that, at a time of world slowdown, led by a manufacturing recession in several leading countries, a boost to the […]

I attended the Chancellor’s statement today in spending plans for 2020-21, As I had hoped and expected he announced a minimum of £5000 per secondary school pupil for next year, and £3750 for primary pupils, the latter to rise to £4000 the following year. This will be helpful to Wokingham and West Berkshire schools which […]