News - Justin Tomlinson

Swindon MPs Back National School Sport Week At Home Campaign

Jun 22, 2020

Swindon MPs Justin Tomlinson and Robert Buckland are preparing to join children’s charity, the Youth Sport Trust and Sky Sports to help young people and families up and down the country engage in a week of virtual sporting challenges. With young people set to miss out on a school sport day this summer, the Youth Sport Trust’s annual National School Sport Week campaign is this year being opened-up to parents and families and reinvented as National School Sport Week at Home. The annual celebration...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Retail Workers Have Played An Integral Role In Ensuring We Have All Had Access To Essential Goods

Jun 19, 2020

On Monday, Coronavirus restrictions were eased to allow non-essential retailers to re-open. This was very welcome for both customers and businesses, and it was great to see people going out and supporting local businesses following what has been a very challenging time for the retail sector. As a former business owner myself, I know how difficult it must have been for shops to close their doors. The retail sector has faced huge challenges over the past few months, and I am very grateful to our l...

Work Begins on Tadpole Garden Village Sainsbury's Store

Jun 16, 2020

Local residents in the Tadpole Village development in Swindon will soon be able to enjoy access to a Sainsbury's convenience store, as on site works begin on Monday. The store, which will be located on Maizey Road, will open its doors at the end of August, creating 16 new jobs. Sainsbury's have said it will offer great quality food, competitively priced, bringing great choice, value and convenience to customers. Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury's Property Director said: “We're delighted that work is ...

Swindon Women's Aid To Receive £37,000 To Support Services During Coronavirus Crisis

Jun 12, 2020

Swindon Women's Aid is set to receive a £36,930 boost to continue to provide life-saving services during the current Coronavirus crisis The funding comes from the £8.1 million announced this week by Housing Minister Luke Hall – which will support domestic abuse safe accommodation services. Swindon Women's Aid is one of more than 100 charities who will benefit from the new funding. Over a third of successful applicants offer specialist services to particular groups such as BAME, LGBT and disabled...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Following Tragedy It Is Crucial That We Have Difficult Conversations To Address Racial Inequalities

Jun 12, 2020

Like everybody I was shocked and sickened by the death of George Floyd. Quite rightly the world reacted with anger and those policemen have been charged with his murder. Following such a tragedy, it is crucial that we have difficult conversations and absolutely look to address racial inequalities that still exist in society. Whilst the Swindon protest was well organised, peaceful and respectful – a credit to the cause and our town, it was unfortunate to see in other areas that a lot of the anger...

Time To Recognise Heroic Carers Looking After Loved Ones And Our Communities

Jun 11, 2020

This pandemic has seen millions of people across our country step up to become unsung heroes. Neighbours are keeping an eye out for vulnerable residents in their streets who have to shield, more than 750,000 people have signed up to the NHS volunteer responder scheme and people are joining community efforts to support those who need help. Our nation’s army of carers has continued to look after friends and family members who rely on their support because of a health condition or a disability thro...

Swindon's Electric Bus Town Bid Supported By Justin

Jun 10, 2020

Earlier this year, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced that the Government was making £50m available to one local authority to set the ‘gold-standard’ in environmentally friendly public transport. The bid has received the support of Swindon's two main bus operators, Stagecoach West and Swindon’s Bus Company - owned by Go South Coast. The Electric Bus Town proposal is a pilot scheme, the aim of which is to assess the impact of moving all buses to electric power – particularly, it's impact ...

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 ...