Council hiking rent costs
Dear Editor,
Yet again, Wokingham Borough Council has chosen to fleece its social tenants, by hiking their rents from April 2026 by the maximum percentage permitted by the Housing Regulator (4.8 per cent). This comes in a long line of annual maximum increases, even though it has the ability to make lower or no increase, or even a decrease. I write to this newspaper every year to highlight the inequity of the situation, in the hope it demonstrates to everyone that the Council has no interest whatsoever in helping the poorer section of our community, when it can easily do so. Instead it just keeps its nose firmly in the trough and provides them with ever less for more. So-called ‘anti-poverty’ champion Cllr Bishop-Firth wrings her hands at their plight in public, whilst conspiring over this cynical smash-and-grab in private with her Executive colleagues. Senior council officers are no better and hide in the shadows.
I work with families who, through no fault of their own, struggle to make ends meet. Many of them are council tenants. One of them showed me recently that, since 2020, Wokingham’s rents have increased by a whopping 29.5 per cent. Wage increases have nowhere near kept pace with this and the housing element of Universal Credit, if families are eligible to claim it, has been frozen for some time. The outcome for this particular family? The Council’s blatant avarice is pushing them further into poverty, to such extent that, this year, they will no longer be able to feed themselves and their children without resorting to using a food bank. Please pause for just a moment to let that sink in.
To add to the rough deal, many of the Council’s tenants live in sub-standard properties but don’t report problems because they are afraid of persecution or even retaliatory eviction. In short, the situation is an absolute scandal and it stinks. If mortgage-payers faced the same unremitting and punishing levels of increases, we’d hear more about it, whereas council housing is an embarrassing subject in affluent Wokingham best swept under the carpet.
Everyone involved in setting or voting for this swingeing increase should be ashamed of themselves. But that would imply a conscience or vestige of human kindness, at the very least, which they clearly lack. In a word, DISGUSTING.
David Reid
The joy of diverse celebrations
Dear Editor,
I wanted to share what a joy it was to attend the Lunar New Year celebrations in Wokingham town centre this past Sunday. As a longtime resident, I have always appreciated the town’s friendly atmosphere, but seeing the streets come alive with music, colour, and community spirit was truly special.
The decorations were vibrant, the lion dance was thrilling, and the stalls offering traditional food and crafts created a wonderfully festive atmosphere. It was particularly heartwarming to see families and people of all ages taking part, children making lanterns, adults enjoying tea-tasting sessions, and everyone stopping to admire the performances. The sense of togetherness was tangible.
Events like this remind me of just how diverse and welcoming Wokingham is. It is a place where traditions from across the world can be shared and celebrated, and where residents come together to learn, enjoy, and support one another. Celebrating the Year of the Horse in such a colourful and joyful way made me proud to be part of this community.
Thank you to all the organisers and performers who made the day so memorable. I hope we continue to see events like this that bring people together and celebrate our town’s wonderful diversity.
Anonymous
