News Category - Justin Tomlinson MP

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...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Colonel Tom Has Inspired Us All

May 01, 2020

There was some lovely news this week as the Prime Minister and his fiancé Carrie Symonds welcomed a baby boy into the world on Wednesday. It has certainly been a turbulent few weeks for the Prime Minister and Carrie, with both catching the coronavirus and the PM even entering intensive care. I am therefore delighted that they have some wonderful news to celebrate and I am sure that residents will join me in congratulating them both. For the last few weeks the Country has been inspired by Captain...

Justin Calls On People To Celebrate VE Day

Apr 30, 2020

The Government is calling on families to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, with North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson encouraging residents to join in. Sadly, social distancing means some of the major events that were originally planned will not be able to go ahead – however, a revised programme will ensure a fitting tribute to the greatest generation. The revised programme will include: a two-minutes' silence at 11.00am; the broadcasting of extracts of Sir Winston Churchill's VE Day speech,...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Parliament Goes Digital

Apr 24, 2020

Parliament has returned this week and what a difference to normal proceedings. The majority of MPs have been told to stay away and use technology to access Parliamentary debates, questions, statements etc. We are using Zoom, a computer programme which allows you to speak and be seen via your computer’s camera and microphone. Many users can join a Zoom session, allowing everybody to see each other. These Zoom sessions have also been broadcast on Parliament TV, allowing members of the public to v...

Thousands Of Swindon Businesses Benefit From Government Grants

Apr 23, 2020

2,066 business properties within the Swindon Borough Council area have already received grants as part of the Government’s Small Business Grants Scheme. In total, more than £25,280,000 has made its way to small businesses in the local area. In recognition of the extraordinary pressures facing small businesses during the coronavirus outbreak, the Government has launched the Small Business Grants Scheme, backed by £12.3 billion. The funding is provided to local authorities, who are then able to of...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Providing Support To Frontline Workers Is Utmost Priority For Government

Apr 17, 2020

It has been very moving seeing our country come together to celebrate the incredible work of NHS staff and care workers via the recent national round of applause. Providing support to those who are doing a tremendous job on the frontline of the coronavirus response has been the utmost priority for the Government since the outbreak. This week, the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock MP, published an action plan for adult social care in England. This plan sets out how we will minimise the spread of cor...

Swindon MPs welcomes £61m debt write-off for Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Apr 14, 2020

Swindon MPs Justin Tomlinson and Robert Buckland have welcomed the announcement that Great Western Hospitals NHS Trust will benefit from a £61m debt write-off as part of the government’s announcement to scrap £13.4bn of NHS debt across England. This debt write-off will rid more than a hundred NHS hospitals of historic debt, freeing them up to invest in maintaining vital services and longer-term infrastructure improvements. This announcement also comes alongside a new NHS funding model to make su...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Thousands Of Charities Will Benefit From £750 Million Package Of Support

Apr 10, 2020

Earlier this week we had a stark reminder of how indiscriminate the Coronavirus is as the Prime Minister himself was moved to intensive care as he battles the virus. This was a real shock to us all. He is receiving the best possible care at St Thomas’ Hospital, and I hope you will join me in wishing him a speedy recovery. I have been overwhelmed with best wishes for both the PM and his partner Carrie, and I am very much looking forward to seeing him back to work and leading the efforts to tack...