Reading has received a £1.4 million boost in its fight against coronavirus, as well as additional support for lost revenue income, such as parking fees.

The financial impact of coronavirus on Reading’s budget has been reduced from around £14.5 million to £8 million, according to the council’s latest estimates.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) has now received more than £9.7 million in government funding to tackle the additional pressures caused by coronavirus.

Some of the things the money has been spent on include £250,000 on a temporary crematorium, £325,000 on the coronavirus community hub and food distribution centre and almost half a million pounds to accommodate rough sleepers in B&Bs.

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The council also spent more than £1.3million spent on extra beds and support for patients discharged from hospitals

Councillor Jason Brock, leader of Reading Borough Council (RBC), said the extra £1.4 million is “quite a small amount “, while the income loss relief is “limited in scope” and there is not currently clarity on how much that will be.

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He said the £8 million “could be recovered with reserves but that is clearly not sustainable” so the council will have to reconsider its budget.

Cllr Brock also said an emergency budget was looking “less and less likely” but there would be amendments to the budget.

He has urged the government to devolve powers to councils to enable them to help residents and businesses recover from coronavirus.