News - Justin Tomlinson MP

Justin Outlines Reasons For Supporting Return To Parliament Arrangements

Jun 09, 2020

Last week Parliament formally returned and I had a number of emails regarding the arrangements, so I thought this summary would be of interest. As with anyone who returns to their formal workplace there will be changes required. Patience will be needed as it will take to get them all the right, that is the case whether is Parliament, or any business up and down the country. Whilst I welcome Parliament returning, which is vital for Parliamentary democracy and crucially accountability (and I say t...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Patience Needed As Parliament Returns to Westminster

Jun 05, 2020

Parliament continuing to return to normal working was very much in the news this week. As with all businesses returning to their formal workplace, changes are required, and patience will be needed as we work to get these changes right. There were certainly some challenges! 1 – The length of time to vote. Many felt it was too long. In part this was because it was new, and some MPs frankly struggled with basic instructions. To be fair, by the 3rd vote it had improved significantly. 2 – Some MP...

Government Expands Skills Toolkit

Jun 03, 2020

The Government has announced it is expanding the Skills Toolkit following its successful launch just a month ago. The Skills Toolkit has been developed in collaboration with Department for Work and Pensions; the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and is an online platform giving people access to free, high-quality digital and numeracy training. These are the skills that everyone needs to thrive in the 21st Century ...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Track and Trace Will Help Return Life Back To Normal

May 29, 2020

Yesterday the Government launched a new track and trace service to help identify, contain and control the coronavirus, reduce the spread of the virus and save lives. The aim of the service is to help return life back to normality, in a way that is safe and protects our NHS and social care. The service will trace the spread of the virus and isolate new infections, and will play a vital role in giving us early warning if the virus is increasing again locally or nationally. Anyone who has tested po...

Swindon MPs Call Residents To Nominate Community Champions

May 22, 2020

North Swindon MP calls for residents to nominate Community Champions for Volunteers Week North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson, has joined forces with South Swindon MP Robert Buckland to recognise local community heroes. The MPs are calling for residents to get in touch and nominate a local community hero as part of Volunteers Week 2020. Volunteers Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering. This year’s Volunteers Week is due to take ...

Applications Open For Charities To Access Coronavirus Community Support Fund

May 22, 2020

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, has today announced that application are available for the Coronavirus Community Support Fund – part of the Governments unprecedented £750 million package of support to ensure that our charities and social enterprises can continue to step up to respond to the crisis, and keep their doors open to those most in need. A central part of this package is the £200 million Coronavirus Community Support Fund, which is being administered via th...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Amazing Levels Of Kindness In Swindon

May 22, 2020

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, with this year’s theme being kindness. This is a very relevant theme at present and I am pleased that, across the country and right in Swindon we have seen such an amazing level of kindness as people step up to help those less fortunate as we navigate the challenges of Covid-19. Throughout the week, this campaign has encouraged us all to speak up about any difficulties we may experience with our mental health – it really does make a difference to those...

Swindon To Received £1.5 Million To Support Care Homes Through Coronavirus Pandemic

May 19, 2020

The Government has announced that Swindon Borough Council is to receive more than £1.5 million to support local care homes. The funding is part of a £600 million Infection Control Fund, launched by the Government to reduce the transmission of coronavirus on care homes. The money will be used ensure that care homes can continue their efforts to halt the spread of coronavirus by helping them cover the costs of implementing measures to reduce transmission. This includes: · Rolling out training on i...

Swindon Advertiser Column - We Will Get Through This

May 15, 2020

On Monday, I was required to be in Parliament, responding from the Despatch Box on behalf of the Department for Work & Pensions. Parliament has been adapting to remote working where possible, with a hybrid system of MPs engaging via Zoom video conferencing and a small number of MPs physically present in the Chamber. Whilst clearly not ideal (with plans to return the majority of Parliament in a few weeks), it has allowed Parliamentary business to continue. For the Zoom video conferencing MP...

Swindon Advertiser Column - VE Day Can Inspire Us To Persevere Through Tough Times

May 08, 2020

75 Years ago today, the Allied Forces accepted Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender of its armed forces. The day became known as VE (Victory in Europe) Day, and marks the end of the Second World War in Europe. VE Day saw the end of one of the darkest times in contemporary history, so it is no surprise that the joy and relief felt by the country erupted into nationwide celebrations. On the day, over a million people across the nation took to the streets to celebrate with friends, family and n...