Category Archives: Wokingham and West Berkshire Issues

I visited the Tim fourth anniversary celebration today in Burghfield. Since its foundation it has recruited many volunteers to provide friendship, help and support to those in the community who need it. It now covers Mortimer, Wokefield, Sulhamstead and Ufton Nervet as well as Burghfield where it started. I congratulated Bev French and her team, […]

Wokingham Borough schools report a 99.1% pass rate this year at A level, above the national average. Well done to all involved. I hope it means many of you can go on the courses and futures you have planned. I also congratulate all in West Berkshire that have done well in the exams.

It was good to see strong job generation again in the latest UK official job figures, with further substantial falls in unemployment. In Wokingham the unemployment rate remained low, with the constituency in the top 25 for a low rate nationwide out of 650. We are now at record levels of employment, with good progress […]

I received this letter from the Department for Transport: I am writing to inform you about new rail investment that we are supporting to improve journeys for passengers and support the economy in the Reading area. Passenger numbers have more than doubled since privatisation of the railways 20 years ago and our country’s railways need […]

I have received this news release from West Berkshire Council regarding Berkshire superfast broadband coverage: Superfast Berkshire, a multi-million pound programme to deliver access to high speed broadband throughout Berkshire has entered its final phase. The programme initiative was started in 2011, under the umbrella of the Government’s (Broadband Delivery UK) national programme, set out […]

On Friday I had the pleasure of giving out the Strive certificates to all those who have completed the business start up course organised by Wokingham Borough Council and their partners. People wanting to establish a business of their own gave presentations on what they wish to achieve. 4 experts on a panel gave advice […]

I had the pleasure of attending the National Grid graduation day for their interns. Under their theme of “Employability” they give young people a better chance of a future job by good intern programmes. One of this year’s intake has been offered a job with National Grid, who are helping the others find jobs or […]

I had a meeting today with the new Franchise team for South West trains who take over in August 20th. I stressed to them the need for improved punctuality and reliability in the service. They assured me they had a number of planned actions to raise service levels including staff rostering, and more reliable trains. […]

Since the election of the new Parliament I have concentrated on the issues of schools funding and the provision of local services. I have urged the Education Secretary to speed up the new fairer funding formula which is meant to help schools in Wokingham and other places which receive low amounts per pupil under the […]