Bracknell with Reading: PwC ranks top place to live and work

Bracknell with Reading has been ranked as the best place to live and work in the UK for the second year in a row, according to a recent report from top accountancy firm PwC.  

PwC’s Good Growth for Cities index measures the performance of UK towns and cities against 10 categories defined by the public and businesses as key to economic success, personal and family wellbeing. This year’s index took into account jobs, health, income and skills, work-life balance, housing affordability, travel to work times, income equality and pollution.

The Bracknell with Reading area was shown to demonstrate high incomes, high skill levels and good investment and beat off competition from bigger areas such as Edinburgh and Oxford.

Cllr Marc Brunel-Walker, Bracknell Forest Council’s executive member for economic development and regeneration, said the report was proof people outside Bracknell recognised its potential.

He said: “It’s fantastic news for the borough and now the town centre regeneration is underway and the economy is picking up it can only get better. Bracknell is a great place to live, work and raise a family and this report has proved that businesses outside the area are seeing the full package here, with great leisure facilities and good access to transport nearby.

“We have always been lacking in our town centre but now the regeneration is going ahead Bracknell really is a great place to be. We continue to work hard to attract new businesses to the area and as part of this effort we have been strengthening our links with China, hosting delegations and forging good relationships with key representatives from various Chinese provinces.”