Posts by Rachel Eden
A Let Down Budget
A let down budget – not even meeting low expectations It shouldn’t have been hard for today’s budget to exceed expectations – given the mess this government is in they were incredibly low, and given Philip Hammond’s reputation he should have been able to promise some support. I was following the announcements hoping for relief for…
Read MoreWorld mental health day – yes it is political
Today is World Mental Health Day and later in the week I’ll be speaking at two community events to help break down the stigma associated with discussing our mental health. However we also need to make sure that we reflect this in the work place, including our public services. We all know that workers…
Read MoreGlaring Need for Council Housing
My first reaction to hearing that Theresa May plans to talk about needing to increase council house building in her speech today was a hollow laugh. Throughout the general election campaign housing and the glaring need for council housing came up in my home of Reading West and in the seat I was lucky to…
Read MoreTackling loneliness in Reading
Today the Red Cross issued a report praising Reading’s Health and Wellbeing board’s approach to tackling loneliness and social isolation. I’m proud that we’re prioritising this and of the work that we’re doing in Reading as a town to make our town a friendly place. There are all sorts of reasons people might be lonely…
Read MoreNational Community Wellbeing Board report back: Standing up for Local Health and Care Services
Today I attended the Local Government Association’s national board meeting on Health and Social Care. Along with 6 other Labour councillors from around the country my role is to put forward Labour’s agenda for health and social care on a cross-party board which is currently chaired by a Conservative. report back on LGA board meeting…
Read MoreCelebrating Older People’s Day
I was glad to speak to Thames Valley TV today about how we’ll be celebrating Older People’s Day in Reading. Older people make a tremendous contribution to the local community. We hold an annual event that aims to celebrate these achievements and offer residents a chance to try a variety of fun and interesting…
Read MoreVOTE 100 Plans already starting
I’m really excited that we already have a lot of interest in next year’s 100 anniversary of women getting the vote. Labour women know the struggle for equality is not over but it will be a great opportunity to celebrate how far we have come in the last 100 years and to think about where we…
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