News - Justin Tomlinson MP

Swindon Advertiser Column - Move To Greener Planet Must Be Pragmatic

Sep 22, 2023

The UK is a world leader when it comes to our ambition to reach net zero. We were one of the first countries in the world to legislate to reach net zero, and this ambition hasn’t changed with the target still 2050. We have also over-delivered on our targets, with the fastest reduction in emissions in the G7, down almost 50% since 1990. It is due to our success in meeting and exceeding these targets that now provides the space to take a more pragmatic, proportionate, and realistic approach to rea...

Justin Visits Every Cloud Tearoom For Community Art Event

Sep 18, 2023

Justin Tomlinson MP has visited Swindon Open Studios at Every Cloud Tearoom in Stanton as part of the wider community art event which is taking place across town. Open studios involves artists from Swindon and surrounding areas open their homes, studios or community venues as pop-up art exhibitions throughout September. It is a unique opportunity for local residents to visit different venues and look at some wonderful artwork. Every Cloud is a volunteer run charity which offers activities, event...

Justin Launches New Job Support Programme With Seetec Pluss

Sep 15, 2023

North Swindon MP and Former DWP Minister Justin Tomlinson has visited Seetec Pluss in Swindon to launch the new job support programme. The DWPs ‘Work and Health – Pioneer’ programme to support over 4,000 people across the Southwest to move into sustained work. Pioneer will provide personalised help to people facing complex barriers to work, including disabilities and health conditions, as part of the Government’s flagship Universal Support programme. Pioneer takes a different approach to traditi...

Swindon Advertiser Column - I want The UK To Be The Most Active Nation In Europe

Sep 15, 2023

This week in Parliament, I signed up to a pledge to ‘make the United Kingdom the most active nation in Europe’. This was at an event organised by the sport, recreation, and physical activity sector’s leading bodies, many of whom I have worked with on a number of campaigns / issues since I was first elected to Parliament. If we are to become a healthier, happier, and more prosperous nation, we must address the UK’s relatively poor performance with a worrying 36% of adults classed as ‘physically ...

Justin Visits Evoke Gymnastics To See New Soft Play Offering

Sep 13, 2023

North Swindon MP Justin Tominson paid a visit to the popular Evoke Gymnastics to see its new soft play offering. Evoke Gymnastics is a ‘not for profit’ organisation based in Croft Sports Centre, offering Acrobatic and Rhythmic Gymnastics classes for both recreational and competition level. Evoke is lead by two ex-international gymnasts; Nikita a World Champion in Acrobatic gymnastics and Rebecca a British and Commonwealth Games champion in Rhythmic gymnastics. They also performed all over the wo...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Busy Week Discussing Disability Issues

Sep 08, 2023

In August, new RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete – a building material used since the 1950’s) events came to light reducing confidence that schools could manage RAAC without mitigations in place. As a parent whose eldest daughter starts school this week, I absolutely shared concerns as to whether our local schools would be impacted. Thankfully, as it stands, no local schools are. Any impacted school has been given an individual caseworker and the Chancellor has made it clear the ne...

Justin Meets With Police To Discuss Anti-Social Behaviour In Moredon And Rodbourne Cheney

Sep 08, 2023

Recently, I have been supporting a number of local residents in the Rodbourne Cheney and Moredon area dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour issues. People should be able to feel safe and comfortable in their home and community and it is unacceptable that they should be prevented from doing so by bullies and criminals. To help tackle the issue, I have been working closely with the Borough Council and local policing team to highlight the concerns raised and ensure they are addressed. As par...

VIDEO: Justin Quizzes Minister About Extending The Severe Illness Criteria

Sep 05, 2023

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson took to the floor of the house to ask a question of Disabilities Minister Tom Pursglove. Justin asked the question during DWP oral questions, asking whether the Minister would consider extending the severe illnesses criteria (SIC) to reduce the number of people requiring an assessment to access support. By extending the number of conditions included in the SIC to include conditions with a clear degenerative trajectory, such as motor neurone disease, it is estima...

VIDEO: Justin Speaks During Minister's Work Capability Assessment Statement

Sep 04, 2023

North Swindon MP and former Disabilities Minister, Justin Tomlinson made a contribution during the Department for Work and Pension Secretary's statement regarding changes to Work Capability Assessments. The Work and Pensions Secretary was updating the House regarding proposed changes to the work capability assessment process. The changed aim to ensure that Disabled people assessed as having a limited capability for work are not held back from the opportunity to work. With the majority of long-te...

Swindon Advertiser Column - STFC Community Foundation Show Football's Power To Support Communities

Sep 01, 2023

As a passionate football fan and avid follower of the game, I have seen the positive impact that football clubs can have on their local communities - including Swindon Town. The Swindon Town FC Community Foundation does incredible work to run a number of initiatives which benefit many different groups and people in Swindon. Earlier this year their fantastic work was recognised by the English Football League, as they were awarded EFL's Community Club of the Season for League Two – and I was honou...