Labour-run Reading Council to cut budget for tackling inequality at council budget setting meeting. The proposed cuts will directly and severely impact local residents by reducing support for essential community projects that promote sports, education, skills development, and cultural activities.
Labour councillors are proposing cutting the inequality budget in South Reading – Church Ward and Whitley Ward. The plan would reduce the £340,000 budget by £230,000, leaving only £110,000 available. While staff funding remains intact, money for running project to tackle inequality is being slashed. The detail of these cuts are hidden in budget papers only available to councillors. Previously, these funds supported community activities covering sports, education, skills development, culture, career advice, and the community ambassadors’ network.
Councillor Rob White stated, “In recent years, poverty in Reading has unfortunately been on the increase. Reading has both severely deprived areas and very wealthy areas. The difference between life expectancy in the richest part of town and the poorest part of town is 7 years. Inequality is bad because it marginalizes vulnerable residents and weakens community cohesion. Cutting this money means the council has less capacity to address urgent social challenges. Greens believe tackling inequality should be a top priority. Despite a new government, we have shifted from Conservative austerity straight into Labour austerity, leaving our residents at risk.”