News - Justin Tomlinson

Swindon Advertiser Column - Keep Christmas Small This Year

Dec 18, 2020

Earlier this week the Government announced that 137,000 people in the UK had received the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine. This is a fantastic start to what will be the biggest vaccination programme in British history. The majority of the vaccines have been administered to the over-80s, care home workers and NHS staff. This is taking place in over 70 sites across the UK, and GP-led centres have also started administering the vaccine this week too. This is just the initial rollou...

Government Announced Temporary Changes To COVID Restrictions Over Christmas

Dec 16, 2020

The Government is temporarily changing some social contact restrictions for a short period of time to allow people to meet over the Christmas period. From 23rd December – 27th December you can form an exclusive ‘Christmas bubble’ composed of people from no more than three households. However: ∙ you can only be in one Christmas bubble ∙ you cannot change your Christmas bubble ∙ your Christmas bubble should not include people from more than three households Righ...

Thousands To Benefit From 400 Free Courses Next Year

Dec 14, 2020

Tens of thousands of adults will be able to benefit from almost 400 free courses next year, in the first major development in the Lifetime Skills Guarantee announced by the Prime Minister in September – news which has been welcomed by North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson. The fully-funded courses, ranging from engineering to healthcare to conservation, will be available to adults without a full qualification at Level 3 (A-level equivalent) from April 2021 to help them gain in-demand skills and open...

Justin Joins Save The Children's Christmas Jumper Day

Dec 14, 2020

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson and his team have pulled on their Christmas jumpers to mark Save The Children’s Christmas Jumper Day. In normal circumstances, Save the Children ask people to donate £2 in exchange for wearing a Christmas jumper to work or school; however, this year’s socially-distanced festive period has meant the event has had to go virtual, with colourful jumpers brightening up digital meetings. Details on how to take part and donate can be found here: https://www.savethechil...

Several South West Projects Feature In National Infrastructure Strategy As PM Targets A “Renaissance”

Dec 11, 2020

A host of infrastructure projects across the South West are highlighted in a new government strategy which Prime Minister Boris Johnson hopes will spark a UK “renaissance”. The 100-page strategy, entitled ‘Fairer, faster, greener’, outlines the government’s long-term vision for infrastructure investment, including a series of transport, regeneration, housing and flood prevention schemes. The strategy, which includes £27billion of public funding next year, hopes to create wealth and thousands of ...

Great Western Hospital Trust To Receive £195k To Upgrade And Refurbish Local Hospitals

Dec 11, 2020

The Health Secretary has announced that hospital staff, patients and visitors in hospitals which are part of the Great Western Hospital Trust will benefit from refurbished wards, brand new electrics and upgraded ventilation systems. The Government has announced allocations of £600 million to tackle critical maintenance work in hospitals across England, including projects for the Great Western Trust. The Trust will receive £195k to carry out the work, which could include building new or refurbi...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Touching moments as first people receive Covid-19 vaccine

Dec 11, 2020

Watching the first recipients of the Covid-19 vaccine this week has been both emotional and overwhelming for many. What struck me most was the fact that each person receiving the vaccine was most excited about being able to see their friends and family again. This summarises just what a tough year it has been for everybody, but as a country we have got through it together. A particularly touching moment came when 91-year-old Martin Kenyon who was interviewed by the media and commented, “well th...

£700million of Support To End Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Provided By The Government In 2020

Dec 09, 2020

Initiatives to tackle rough sleeping have benefitted from over £700million as the Government works to fulfil its commitment to ending rough sleeping. The Government has seized the COVID outbreak as an opportunity to continue its work to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, implementing a number of wide ranging initiatives aimed to find secure and long term housing for rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness. Everyone In and the Protect Programme Throughout the pandemic, the Governmen...

Justin Celebrates Small Business Saturday

Dec 07, 2020

Small businesses across Swindon and the UK will be showcased over the weekend as part of the annual Small Business Saturday campaign – an initiative being supported by North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson. Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign aiming to support small businesses around the country and highlight the important role they play in our communities and the economy. People are encouraged to visit and support small businesses in their area – with many small busi...

Government Outlines Arrangements For 2021 Exams

Dec 07, 2020

The Government has outlined arrangements for exams in England in 2021 as schools and pupils deal with the disruption caused by the COVID pandemic. In October, it was announced that exams in 2021 will go ahead – although, starting three weeks later than usual. Working with Ofqual, and a range of stakeholders including unions, exam boards, HE and FE bodies, students & parents, and equalities organisations, the Government has sought to ensure that exams next year will be safe and as fair as pos...