News - Justin Tomlinson MP

Justin Joins Swindon Carers Centre For Carers Rights Day

Nov 26, 2021

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson joined Swindon Carers Centre to celebrate Carers Rights Day. Carers Rights Day is an annual national awareness campaign organised by the charity Carers UK, which aims to reach as many of the 6.5 million carers in the UK as possible with information about their rights and the financial and practical help they are entitled to, including benefits such as Carer’s Allowance, breaks, and access to equipment and technology which can help them in their caring role. This...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Harper's Law Will Protect Emergency Workers

Nov 26, 2021

Safety for women and girls is rightly a national talking point, arguably more so than it has ever been following some horrific, high-profile cases. I am very proud that my wife, and newly elected councillor, Kate is working proactively on this issue and has submitted a motion to full council setting out what steps the Council can take to increase the safety of women in Swindon. Licencing and working with venues such as pubs and bars is one area that simple changes can be made to increase safety...

Government To Introduce 'Harper’s Law' To Give Emergency Workers Greater Protection From Violent Criminals

Nov 24, 2021

- Mandatory life sentences for those who kill an emergency worker in the course of their duty - Change to the law to be made as soon as possible - Follows the tireless campaigning of PC Andrew Harper’s family Emergency workers will receive greater protection from violent criminals after the Government confirmed ‘Harper’s Law’ would be added to the statute book. Named after PC Andrew Harper, who was killed in the line of duty in 2019, the law will introduce mandatory life sentences for anyone con...

Plans Unveiled To Ban Single-Use Plastics

Nov 23, 2021

Single-use cutlery and plates could be banned in England as part of a public consultation, and call for evidence launched to tackle other problematic plastics Polluting plastics which harm our landscapes and wildlife could be banned in England, Environment Secretary George Eustice set out today. Single-use plastic plates, cutlery, expanded and extruded polystyrene cups and food and beverage containers could all be phased out, in the latest Government bid to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste....

Swindon Advertiser Column - New Law Will Recognise The Distress Of Dog Theft

Nov 19, 2021

I was particularly pleased this week to see the publishing of the Pet Theft Taskforce’s recommendations. Tackling pet theft has always been an important priority for me and sadly, we have recently seen a rise in pet theft, particularly dogs, in the UK. The theft of a dog not only causes great distress for the owner but has a devastating impact on the dog as well. With 2,000 dog thefts reported to the police last year, it is an issue we simply have to crack down on. In May, the government formed ...

New Offence To Tackle Dog Theft Moves Step Closer

Nov 18, 2021

A new criminal offence to crack down on dog theft and put people who steal these much loved pets behind bars for up to five years has been set out in the Government’s Kept Animals Bill today. The dog abduction offence, announced in September by Defra, will be added by the Government to the Kept Animals Bill, bolstering the raft of measures it already includes to further protect pets, livestock and kept wild animals. Prior to this new offence, pet theft was treated as a loss of property to the ow...

Justin Welcomes Historic Climate Agreement

Nov 13, 2021

Justin welcomes historic climate agreement reached at COP26 in Glasgow which keeps 1.5C goal alive Global action on coal, cars, cash and trees as well as new net zero commitments secured under UK Presidency Justin joined the Prime Minister's call for greater action throughout our year of COP26 Presidency to drive down emissions and support countries on the frontline of climate change North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson has welcomed the historic climate agreement reached at COP26 in Glasgow. Over...

North Swindon MP Backs Important Amendment To Reduce Storm Overflows In Rivers

Nov 10, 2021

Local MP, Justin Tomlinson is supporting an important amendment to the Environment Bill proposed by the Government, to strengthen enforcement powers and provide more oversight in reducing storm overflows into rivers. During wet weather, storm overflows are designed to prevent contaminated wastewater and sewage from overloading the sewer system and backing up at times of heavy rainfall. The Government already incentivises the minimising of storm overflows, by imposing large penalties on water com...

Justin Welcomes Major Announcement on Government's Broadband Scheme

Nov 08, 2021

North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson has welcomed an announcement that up to 570,000 additional households and businesses in rural areas will soon be able to access super-fast broadband as part of the Goverment's Project Gigabit. Project Gigabit is a £5 billion plan by the Government to improve broadband connectivity in the UK and unite areas in through communication. The project is estimated to bring super or lighting fast broadband speeds to more than 1 million homes, as well as bringing additio...

Education Secretary Puts Climate Change At The Heart Of Education

Nov 05, 2021

Young people will be empowered to take action on the environment as part of new measures designed to put climate change at the heart of education. Announcing a range of measures in a speech at COP26 today, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi will set out his vision for all children to be taught about the importance of conserving and protecting our planet. Teachers will be supported to deliver world-leading climate change education through a model science curriculum, which will be in place by 2023,...