READING’S boom town reputation has been proven once again as it was placed top in the nation for economic success.

Alongside neighbours in Bracknell the Good Growth for Cities Index has listed the towns collectively as the UK’s best place to live and work for a third year in a row.

The report took into account the area’s characteristics as well as looking at the types of available jobs, healthcare and the skills in the workforce.

Nigel Horton Baker, executive director of Reading UK CIC, the economic development and marketing company for the town, said: “Reading continues to outperform all the core cities in the UK as a successful economy with our highly skilled workforce, good salaries and health being particularly important factors in this success.

“The report points to structural, long-term factors as responsible for this continuity but it also includes a clear message that Reading needs to continue to invest to stay ahead.”

Following the announcement the report’s author Nick Jones presented Reading Economic Forum with the first analysis of the town’s strong performance.

The index measures the progress of 39 cities in the UK on a whole range of elements including residents’ work-life balance, income and transport.

Mr Horton-Baker added: “A key theme of Reading UK CIC’s Reading Economic Forum this evening will be identifying the local investment priorities required to maintain our ability to attract a highly-skilled workforce and new businesses to Reading.

“Commuter times to Reading have increased by 20 per cent in the last decade and ongoing local investment in transport and housing, in particular, are vital if we are to remain competitive in the long term.

“We cannot rest on our laurels. A strong public/private partnership at the heart of our economy is key to ensuring future good growth.”

Source: The Reading Chronicle