Any decision to close railway station ticket offices would be another short-sighted decision by a government that does not care about people who use public transport to get around.
Being able to speak to someone is vital for many passengers and plans to close ticketing offices will make travelling by train more difficult for thousands of passengers – especially passengers with disabilities, those with limited mobility and parents travelling with children.
Instead of another needless fight with unions and passengers, the government should be focusing on getting trains running on time, dealing with overcrowding and making travelling by rail more convenient and affordable. Closing ticket offices will achieve none of that.
You can oppose ticket office closure proposals until 1 September at https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/train-station-ticket-office-consultation/
Greens would tackle child poverty
It is staggering that Starmer’s Labour wouldn’t even lift the two child cap on child benefit. This policy has impacted an estimated 1.5 million children and has put families into poverty rather than increasing employment. The unspecified ‘reforms’ being touted by Labour are no substitute for urgently needed public investment. Lifting the cap could be funded through a wealth tax on the super rich.
Kate Nikulina, Green campaigner standing up for your teeth
Kate Nikulina, Green campaigner’s petition for the council to act to help people get registered with an NHS dentist is gathering steam. Currently there are no NHS dentists in Reading taking on patients. However we are pleased to report that there is now a pilot running with Bespoke dental (this used to be called Gentle Dental Care) in Tilehurst. If you need NHS emergency treatment they will see you as a one-off. Or if you are new to the area, or haven’t seen a dentist for two years, or are in the care system, or the family of Armed Forces personnel or an asylum seeker or refugee then they will see you for a one-off NHS checkup.
We will keep campaigning so people can get registered with an NHS dentist so please sign our petition if you haven’t already https://bit.ly/dentistpetition
Greens are the second largest party in Reading
Fortunately, there’s now real, constructive opposition on Reading Council. Following the local elections in May the Green Party has consolidated its position as the second largest party on Labour-run Reading Council. There are seven Green Party councillors and we are now two councillors ahead of the Conservatives. There is a growing team of hard-working Green councillors standing up for residents across the town.
If you’re keen on being part of the change in Reading, get involved and help us make Reading fairer, greener and cleaner:
reading.greenparty.org.uk/get-involved
By Green Party councillor Rob White
Leader of the main opposition group on Reading Borough Council
