WOKINGHAM should support local businesses when celebrating the festive season. That’s the call from the leader of the council.
Speaking at the start of the executive meeting, Cllr Clive Jones reflected on the impact of the autumn statement, saying he had been hopeful that chancellor Jeremy Hunt would have had something to help councils cope with rising costs, including inflation at 11.1%.
“I was wrong,” he said. “There was little good news for the council and certainly no extra cash which is desperately needed.
“I was hoping that working on would no longer be the lowest funded unitary council in the country, and that we would get our fair share of cash from the government for the first time in probably eight years. But it didn’t happen.
“There was nothing for working and we’re still starved of cash by the Conservative government.”
He added that many households would, due to rising interest rates, energy bills and tax increases, be £7,500 a year worse off, and that would be taken out of the local economy.
“This will have a serious negative impact on working in retailers, cafes, pubs and restaurants, making it very difficult for some of them to survive,” he said.
“Restaurant closures are currently up 60%, and disappearing at a faster rate than they were during covid.
“These are caused by rising costs, weak demand and Brexit-induced staff shortages.
“If any do not survive in Wokingham, it will be the fault of the government and their disastrous handling the country’s economy.”
But residents could do their bit when holding events to mark the festive season.
“I would like to encourage our local businesses to organise their Christmas office parties and events in our local venues wherever they can,” he said.
