Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was among the visitors at a community centre in Reading on Monday, January 5, where he spoke to local residents about the cost of living and recent announcements regarding rail fares.
Mr Starmer joined Reading’s MPs Matt Rodda, Olivia Bailey, and Yuan Yang, as well as a number of Labour councillors, at Emmer Green Youth and Community Centre, in Caversham, where he set out a number of policies in a slew of action set to bring costs down for households in the UK.
It follows a freeze on rail fares–the first in 30 years–which will pause any rises in the cost of train travel.
The freeze means that season ticket holders for trains between Reading and London will save £340 a year on fares.
It applies to all regulated fares, including season tickets and commuter returns, and will help save passengers £600 million in 2026/27 compared to last year
He also announced the return of the week-long ‘Great British Rail Sale’, which will see discounts of over 50% on nearly 4 million tickets for journeys between mid-January and late March.
The sale begins on January 6, with almost all train operators taking part.
The moves are part of a set of measures aimed at tackling the cost of living which also includes cutting energy bills by £150, raising the National Living Wage, capping bus fares, and offering free childcare and breakfast clubs.
Speaking to attendees at the community centre, the PM said: “I’m acutely aware that there are a lot of things going on elsewhere around the world, but for millions around the country what matters more than anything is the cost of living.
“We’re driving down those things which cause people a lot of anxiety when it comes to being able to pay the bills.
“I know what it feels like to be sitting around the table worrying about paying the bills; whatever other things are happening in politics, it’s really important that the government is focused on the cost of living.
“What happens in 2026 is that we’re going to turn that corner, as provisions come into place.”
He explained the slew of measures which would seek to help households across the UK with costs.
“It’s really important we take all measures to do the one thing that matters more than anything–keep prices down.
“That’s why we’re taking railways back into public ownership, giving us more control, and the ability in the meantime to freeze fares, and this is hugely important for Reading.
“We came through Reading Station this morning, it’s busy, lots of people on their way to London, and for those with season tickets that’s a £340 saving.”
He added: “The cap on bus fares of £3 is really important, especially for those who use them for work, for health appointments, and so much else.
“It has to be integrated, it has to work together, and keeping fares down is what we’re continuing to do.
“I’m aware that lots of global affairs are taking a lot of headlines at the moment, but I suspect that for many people here in Reading the question will be the cost of living–’can I pay the bills?’
“And that has to be the number one priority for the government.”
Reading Central MP Matt Rodda said: “It’s an incredible honour to have him in Reading, and we’re delighted to see him here today; it’s wonderful that he has decided to pick Reading as the centre of today’s events.
“We have a major train station here–lots of people commute, and I used to be among them. You really notice the impact of hundreds of pounds coming off the price of a season ticket.
“I remember very clearly, particularly when we had a young family, the huge impact that season ticket prices had each year, especially as it comes just after Christmas.
“I think it is a fantastic policy which will really resonate with a lot of local people.”
Reading West and Mid Berkshire MP Olivia Bailey said: “It’s particularly great to hear him talking about the cost of living, which is important to families all across our constituencies, as well as the rail fare freeze, which is going to make such a big difference.
“So many people commute from Reading, and they’ll save over £300 a year–it’s been really good to be able to talk to people about that today.
“We’ve got great buses here which have been an example to the Government reforms to buses more widely, and we’ve been leading the way to those changes.
“So it’s been great to talk about not only cutting costs to transport, but all of the other costs being cut too, including interest rates coming down, and support for childcare, which will save the average working family over £7,500 a year.
“That’s a lot of money, and childcare can be so expensive, so that will be a massive game-changer for lots of families.”
Reading East MP Yuan Yang said: “It’s a great way to kick off the new year, and that the Prime Minister has chosen to do this on his first morning of the first week back in Parliament shows his priorities and commitment to the cost of living, as well as meeting with residents.
“Our model of bus ownership and planning has paid for itself, and when businesses move to parts of my constituency, they cite our brilliant transport links around the country, but also that the infrastructure means families find it easier to get around.
“All of that also makes it a great business proposition.”
