News - Justin Tomlinson

Swindon Advertiser Column - £148million Investment To Tackle Drug Crime Will Target Crime Gangs AND End Cycle Of Crime And Addiction

Jan 22, 2021

Along with millions around the world, I watched Joe Biden’s inauguration as the new President of the United States and very much welcomed the positive and unifying message of his inauguration speech – we all wish him well as the 46th President. This week the Government also announced a £148 million new investment to cut crime and protect people from the scourge of illegal drugs. Not only will the funding be used to allow the police to disrupt organised crime gangs and tackle the supply of drugs,...

Government Launches Consultation On Alternatives To Exams in 2021

Jan 21, 2021

With schooling significantly disrupted this year due to COVID, it has been decided that it would not be fair to expect students to sit exams this year. The Government is now looking at alternative arrangements to award qualifications, working with Ofqual to deliver an alternative approach to ensure young people still receive a grade that supports them to progress to the next stage of their lives. A range of contingency options have been drawn up and the Government has now issued a joint consulta...

£148 Million Funding Boost To Tackle Drug Crime

Jan 20, 2021

The Home Secretary announced a £148 million investment to deliver a system-wide approach to tackle drug crime, helping protect communities across the country from its devastating effects. In its determination to cut crime and make our streets safer, the Government is adopting a system-wide approach to take firm action against the scourge of illegal drugs, so it can tackle one of the key drivers of the violence that devastates communities and robs young lives. Building on its recent succe...

Justin Joins Ministers in Thanking NHS Staff For Achieving Highest Ever Flu Vaccination Rate

Jan 17, 2021

With now over 80% of those aged 65 and over in England having received the flu vaccine so far this year, North Swindon MP has joined the list of those thanking NHS staff for their role in making this possible, and bearing the season flu strain well despite the added pressures of the pandemic. NHS England and NHS Improvement, Public Health England (PHE) and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and other have been thanking health care workers for their efforts, which for the flu vacci...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Fantastic Start To Vaccination Rollout

Jan 15, 2021

I was delighted to see our COVID vaccine rollout continue to build momentum this week. As I write, more than 3 million people have received the first dose of a vaccine, with more than 400,000 having received their second doses. As more vaccine supply becomes available, we will continue to see the pace of the vaccine rollout increase. The Prime Minister has set out a goal that everyone in the four top priority groups will have been offered the first dose by 15th February. These are people aged 70...

North Swindon MP Welcomes Boost To The School Laptop Programme

Jan 14, 2021

Justin Tomlinson MP has welcomed the latest announcements by the Government that a further 300,000 laptops and tablets will be provided, as part of the Governments Get Help with Technology Programme. The scheme, which was set up to help disadvantaged children and young people learn at home, as well as ensure that all pupils have the right equipment to keep up with school work during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The welcome boost of 300,000 laptops, tablets and other computing equipment, takes the tota...

Record Number Of Armed Forces Personnel Help With Covid Response

Jan 14, 2021

The record 5,300 personnel committed to winter and Covid operations are today supporting 56 different tasks in the UK and abroad – this includes the vaccine rollout, NHS support and community testing across the length and breadth of the UK. This is the largest peacetime resilience operation ever undertaken by the UK Armed Forces and is drawing on every corner of expertise of the military. Personnel are also working inside NHS hospitals, with around 50 medics now committed to hospitals in Kent an...

Landmark Reform Of Mental Health Laws

Jan 13, 2021

Major reform of Mental Health Act will empower individuals to have more control over their treatment and deliver on a key manifesto commitment. Reforms will deliver parity between mental and physical health services and put patients’ views at the centre of their care. Plan will tackle mental health inequalities including disproportionate detention of people from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, the use of the act to detain people with learning disabilities and autism, and...

Government Pledges Further £1.9million To Tackle Homelessness In Swindon

Jan 12, 2021

Swindon Borough Council will receive an additional £1.9million of government funding to prevent vulnerable people becoming homeless in 2021/22, the Communities Secretary has announced. Across the country, £310million will be targeted at areas with high numbers of homeless people, those at risk of homelessness or those living in temporary accommodation, helping them to rebuild their lives. The funding represents a £47million increase on this year and can be used to offer financial support for peo...

Government Publishes Plan For The Largest Vaccination Programme In British History

Jan 12, 2021

* At least 2 million vaccinations per week with over 2,700 vaccine sites across the UK * Over 200,000 offers of non-clinical support from the public and leading UK businesses to help with the logistics of the programme Tens of millions of people will be immunised by the spring at over 2,700 vaccination sites across the UK, the government has announced today as part of comprehensive plans to rapidly scale up the COVID-19 vaccination programme. The UK COVID-19 vaccines delivery plan sets out how t...