High living costs cause 'brain drain'

The high cost of living in Reading, Berkshire, is causing a "brain drain" as more key workers are tempted away to cheaper areas, a council boss has claimed.

Reading Borough Council chief executive Trish Haines has warned services are beginning to suffer because staff are leaving.

The local authority is experiencing problems recruiting social workers, teachers and occupational therapists.

Ms Haines is now calling on the government to look at the regional pay weighting allowance across the south east and take into account the high cost of living and housing in some areas.

Action plan

She said: "You can live in Reading and work in Bracknell - which comes within the outer limit of outer London weighting - and earn £440 more per year.

"We are experiencing difficulties in retaining workers, especially in low paid positions such as nursery assistants and catering staff who cannot afford to live in Reading."

Ms Haines has set up a programme of action to try and address the situation, which includes working with local employers with a view to lobbying local MPs.

Her comments follow a regional pay conference at Reading Civic Centre on 23 November, where representatives from the police, probation service and hospitals discussed ways to entice professionals to stay in the area.

She added: "Some people are waiting too long for services because of the shortage of staff."