Before I continue, I'll start with this, don't mean for it to come off as a lecture.
The Russell Group, despite what the media claim, is not a collection of the "best" universities. It is group of large, research intensive universities (with largely a lobbying purposes).
There is also the 1994 Group. A similar group, but of smaller research intensive universities. Reading is in this group. The 1994 Group is not strictly inferior to the Russell Group. Many on here will perceive a number of 1994 Group universities (Durham, York, Exeter, St Andrews, Lancaster, Loughborough, Queen Mary) as being better than most RG universities (although, despite their often supeior league table positions and popularity with applicants, they aren't, but that doesn't mean they're worse either).
If you start university in 2012 you will need to pay the new tuition fees of
up to 9k a year. This is unless you attend a Scottish university (Edinburgh and Glasgow being the only two Scottish RG universities) where fees will possibly be lower.
If you start university in 2011 you won't pay these higher fees.
Depends on whay you class as "good enough" but it is a thoroughly decent university (I have particular respect for its philosophy, Real Estate and business programmes in particular - though this isn't to say these are Reading's only strengths).
As mentioned, it is a member of the 1994 Group, and there's no reason why it cannot deliver a comparable standard of education as a Russell Group university. There is certainly no reason why attending Reading should disadvantage you in future plans.
If you want opinions from Reading students then feel free to create a thread in the Reading subforum.
The university you achieve your undergrad degree from will have little to no relevance. What's more, look at the universities with medical schools (or shared medical schools). Off the top of my head I can think of a few medical schools not in a Russell Group university. These are Durham, York, Hull, Exeter, East Anglia, Sussex, St Andrews and Aberdeen. All of those, with the exception of Aberdeen and Hull are in the 1994 Group. Aberdeen is a Scottish Ancient and has been teaching medicine for a number of centuries.
Durham's medical education is in partnership with a RG university (Newcastle). Exeter's with a former polytechnic (Plymouth) and Hull and York share theirs.
These are unlikely to be bothered whether your degree is from a RG university or not, are they?
Don't get so obsessed with the Russell Group. Yes, they are all universities of international standing and amongst our leading universities. But the key word there is amongst. It is not a complete collection of our leading universities.