News - Justin Tomlinson

Plans Unveiled To Ban Single-Use Plastics

Nov 23, 2021

Single-use cutlery and plates could be banned in England as part of a public consultation, and call for evidence launched to tackle other problematic plastics Polluting plastics which harm our landscapes and wildlife could be banned in England, Environment Secretary George Eustice set out today. Single-use plastic plates, cutlery, expanded and extruded polystyrene cups and food and beverage containers could all be phased out, in the latest Government bid to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste....

Swindon Advertiser Column - New Law Will Recognise The Distress Of Dog Theft

Nov 19, 2021

I was particularly pleased this week to see the publishing of the Pet Theft Taskforce’s recommendations. Tackling pet theft has always been an important priority for me and sadly, we have recently seen a rise in pet theft, particularly dogs, in the UK. The theft of a dog not only causes great distress for the owner but has a devastating impact on the dog as well. With 2,000 dog thefts reported to the police last year, it is an issue we simply have to crack down on. In May, the government formed ...

New Offence To Tackle Dog Theft Moves Step Closer

Nov 18, 2021

A new criminal offence to crack down on dog theft and put people who steal these much loved pets behind bars for up to five years has been set out in the Government’s Kept Animals Bill today. The dog abduction offence, announced in September by Defra, will be added by the Government to the Kept Animals Bill, bolstering the raft of measures it already includes to further protect pets, livestock and kept wild animals. Prior to this new offence, pet theft was treated as a loss of property to the ow...

Justin Welcomes Historic Climate Agreement

Nov 13, 2021

Justin welcomes historic climate agreement reached at COP26 in Glasgow which keeps 1.5C goal alive Global action on coal, cars, cash and trees as well as new net zero commitments secured under UK Presidency Justin joined the Prime Minister's call for greater action throughout our year of COP26 Presidency to drive down emissions and support countries on the frontline of climate change North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson has welcomed the historic climate agreement reached at COP26 in Glasgow. Over...

North Swindon MP Backs Important Amendment To Reduce Storm Overflows In Rivers

Nov 10, 2021

Local MP, Justin Tomlinson is supporting an important amendment to the Environment Bill proposed by the Government, to strengthen enforcement powers and provide more oversight in reducing storm overflows into rivers. During wet weather, storm overflows are designed to prevent contaminated wastewater and sewage from overloading the sewer system and backing up at times of heavy rainfall. The Government already incentivises the minimising of storm overflows, by imposing large penalties on water com...

Justin Welcomes Major Announcement on Government's Broadband Scheme

Nov 08, 2021

North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson has welcomed an announcement that up to 570,000 additional households and businesses in rural areas will soon be able to access super-fast broadband as part of the Goverment's Project Gigabit. Project Gigabit is a £5 billion plan by the Government to improve broadband connectivity in the UK and unite areas in through communication. The project is estimated to bring super or lighting fast broadband speeds to more than 1 million homes, as well as bringing additio...

Education Secretary Puts Climate Change At The Heart Of Education

Nov 05, 2021

Young people will be empowered to take action on the environment as part of new measures designed to put climate change at the heart of education. Announcing a range of measures in a speech at COP26 today, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi will set out his vision for all children to be taught about the importance of conserving and protecting our planet. Teachers will be supported to deliver world-leading climate change education through a model science curriculum, which will be in place by 2023,...

Swindon Advertiser Column

Nov 05, 2021

World leaders, royalty and celebrities arrived in Glasgow this week keen to play their part in the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference. A Conference of the Parties (COP) brings together almost every country on earth for global climate summits, allowing countries to collaborate and work together to tackle climate change. Away from the glitz and glamour (which can often be more of a distraction from the key issues) there has been some constructive discussions and some essential pledges m...

End Of Coal In Sight As UK Secures Ambitious Commitments At COP26 Summit

Nov 04, 2021

The UK has secured a 190-strong coalition of countries and organisations at COP26, with countries such as Poland, Vietnam, Egypt, Chile and Morocco announcing commitments to phase out coal power. Today’s commitments, brought together through UK-led efforts including the new ‘Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement’, encompass developed and developing countries, major coal users and climate vulnerable countries. This includes 18 countries committing for the first time to phase out and not...

Chancellor: UK Will Be The World’s First Net Zero Financial Centre

Nov 03, 2021

- Over $130 trillion – 40% of the world’s financial assets – will now be aligned with the climate goals in the Paris Agreement, thanks to climate commitments from financial services firms - New UK climate finance projects funded from the UK’s international climate finance commitment will help developing countries to fund green growth and adapt to the changing climate The Chancellor will set out the UK’s plans to become the world’s first net zero aligned financial centre and welcome “historic” cl...