News - Justin Tomlinson

Swindon MPs Join Forces To Support Earth Hour

Mar 10, 2014

Swindon MPs, Justin Tomlinson and Robert Buckland, have joined forces and signed up to support this year’s Earth Hour by making a special pledge to help protect the planet. The MPs were just two of many joining WWF in London this week to make their ‘starry’ themed wishes, ahead of the global lights out event, due to take place on Saturday 29th March at 8:30pm. Earth Hour sees millions of people around the world coming together to switch off their lights for one hour in a symbolic act of support...

Swindon Advertiser Weekly Article - 7th March

Mar 07, 2014

This week we are celebrating National Apprenticeship Week and it rightly is a real celebration; it is a credit to the Swindon Advertiser for promoting the opportunities and benefits on offer throughout the week. Apprenticeships offer a vocational route into work, a chance to earn, learn and crucially get your first foot on your career ladder. We have overseen the biggest ever boost to Apprenticeships, both in numbers and length of apprenticeship. There has been 1.5m apprenticeship starts since...

Justin Encourages Local Businesses To Support National Apprenticeships Week

Mar 06, 2014

North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson, is using National Apprenticeships Week to call on more local businesses to take on an apprentice, after new research revealed the extent of the benefits involved. Last year, 930 people started an apprenticeship in North Swindon. This means that new apprentices alone provided a boost of around £1,872,000 in 2012/13 to the local economy. Nationally, more than 1.5 million people have started apprenticeships since the 2010 General Election, including around 500,...

Local MP Acts To Tackle Puppy Farming

Mar 06, 2014

Local MP, Justin Tomlinson, has pledged to stamp out the sale of commercially farmed puppies within North Swindon and across England. Justin will be one of a number of MPs demanding action in a House of Commons debate in March. The debate has been secured following a campaign by the animal welfare group Pup Aid, and the support of over 108,000 members of the public who have signed an e-petition asking the government to ban the sale of puppies and kittens without their mothers present. Kept in h...

Justin Backs Local School's Campaign To Improve Facilities

Mar 05, 2014

Justin recently visited Highworth Warneford to discuss the school’s exciting plans for the future. The school continues to go from strength to strength, with school place applications once again being fully taken. The ambitious school is determined to improve the facilities and since 2012 they have already successfully secured four bids from the Academies Capital Maintenance Fund covering: a) New Science block roof - £26,000. b) Upgraded mains electricity with new switchgear - £47,000. c) Repla...

Justin Commended & Made Parliamentary Beer Champion

Mar 04, 2014

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson has been made a Parliamentary Beer Champion by CAMRA and the British Beer and Pub Association in recognition of his work to secure the first cut in beer duty since 1959 and his continued work to promote local beer producers in Swindon and Wiltshire. Justin has been an advocate of removing barriers, put in place by the previous government, which had stopped brewers and the pub sector from growing and ending Labour’s beer duty escalator which consistently added to...

Swindon Advertiser Weekly Article - 28th February

Mar 03, 2014

Debates in Parliament broadly fall into three categories. Firstly there are those led by the Government setting legislation and changes to the law which are felt across the country. Secondly there are those led by the Opposition and other smaller parties, which tend to focus on their specific current campaign themes. The third category and increasingly the most important one are debates on topics chosen and set by backbench MPs. These are secured by MPs who pitch their chosen topic of debate to...

Justin Presses For Action On School Half Term Holiday Costs

Feb 25, 2014

Local MP Justin Tomlinson took the concerns of North Swindon residents to Westminster yesterday during a debate on the cost of holidays during school half term. During the debate, Justin raised the unfair price increases put in place by some holiday operators during school holidays and the impact this has on the ability of families in Swindon to enjoy time together. In addition, Justin asked the Minister to clarify the existing rules on authorised absences during term time and asked for headteac...

Justin Praises Stratton Air Cadets For Charity Effort

Feb 25, 2014

Stratton Air Cadets have received the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire’s Award for Poppy Sales for the fifth year in a row. The 2003 (Stratton) Squadron RAF cadets were presented with the award in recognition of all their hard work raising money for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. Last year the squadron raised more than £7,500 after selling poppies. Money raised through the annual Poppy Appeal from the Royal British Legion goes towards supporting members of the British Armed Forces past and...

Local MP Welcomes Justice Secretary To Swindon

Feb 25, 2014

Swindon MPs Justin Tomlinson and Robert Buckland welcomed Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling MP, to Swindon last week to meet with to visit the Crown Court and speak to the town's probation workers. During the visit, the Justice Secretary spoke to Swindon's hardworking probation and courts staff about changes the Government is making to ensure the service works best for everyone involved. Mr. Grayling discussed the reforms at length and commended the efforts of staff who will work with victims of...