About Reading

Reading is home to 174,200 residents and 66,000 households, while around 233,000 people live in Reading’s greater urban area. We are the principal regional and commercial centre of the Thames Valley, a major retail and leisure destination, with a thriving night-time economy.

 

Reading is also a place with huge potential, second only to London for wages; it has above average economic productivity and rates of employment.


Yet Reading is now the third most unequal city in the UK, with significant groups not benefiting from the success of the economy, and with rising demand for housing, and for services to support vulnerable adults and children. Reading has some of the most affluent and the most deprived neighbourhoods in the whole of the Thames Valley.

Our mission is: to ensure that Reading realises its potential – and to ensure that everyone who lives and works here can share the benefits of its success.

We are focussed on achieving this by working together across the borough and by focussing on three inter-connected themes:

  • Healthy Environment
  • Thriving Communities
  • Inclusive Economy

  • Reading’s population is 174,200.
  • 77 languages are spoken in homes across Reading.
  • The last five years have seen a 10% rise in social care referrals.
  • The difference in life expectancy between the borough’s most and least deprived areas is 8 years for men and 7.2 years for women.
  • Reading is 4th in the country for number of businesses.
  • 4th highest in terms of wages.
  • 2nd highest for ‘good growth’.
  • However, Reading is the 3rd most unequal city in terms of wealth.
  • Five neighbourhoods are within the 10% most deprived in the country.
  • Reading Borough Council has reduced its carbon footprint by 10% with £13 million saved.
  • 90% of council-maintained schools are rated good or outstanding but 10.4% of young people are not in education, employment or training. This is above the national average.
  • Reading is rated one of the areas best placed for post-Covid economic recovery

Our Vision

“To help Reading realise its potential – and to ensure that everyone who lives and works here can share the benefits of its success.”

In 2018, the Council came together with local businesses, community groups and Reading University to plan for Reading’s future. The result is the Reading 2050 Vision, an ambitious description of what Reading can be; a city of green spaces, smart technology and economic growth.

The Council has declared a Climate Emergency and has set itself a target of becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2030, we’re delighted to be ‘A’ Listed by CDP, recognised as a leader in environmental action and transparency. 

 

At Reading Borough Council, we believe we can help Reading realise its potential – and ensure that everyone who lives and works here can share the benefits of its success.


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