News - Justin Tomlinson

Highworth Link Article - Highworth Has Had More Than It's Fair Share Of Building Development

Jan 04, 2022

As we enter 2022, I have been struck by the constructive and highly visible ‘Save Highworth’s Old Golf Course’ campaign. I have met with representatives of the campaign group who were always well prepared, well researched and presented their case strongly. I have seen the 4,500+ petition and you can’t fail to notice the posters proudly displayed across Highworth. The scale of opposition to the proposed houses is clear. I have previously written about the process for identifying land for new hou...

All Adults In England Offered COVID-19 Booster Vaccine

Dec 31, 2021

Every eligible adult in England aged 18 and over has now had the chance to get a COVID-19 booster jab Anyone who has not come forward urged to Get Boosted Now to protect against Omicron Every eligible adult in England has now had the chance to get a life-saving COVID-19 booster, as the government and NHS hits their target to offer the top-up jab to those aged 18 and over by the New Year. On 30 November, the government set out its ambition to offer all eligible adults the chance to get their top-...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Government Helping High Streets After Difficult Year

Dec 31, 2021

Whilst the shop tills have been ringing over the festive period, it was another tough year on our High Streets, with a further swathe of major retailers being lost to changing consumer habits embracing online shopping, as well as the impact of Covid. As the former Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Retail and from a family of shop keepers, supporting our local shops has always been key for me. Whilst I understand the convenience of online shopping (that is until your parcel delivery ...

More Than 90% Of People Receive First Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine

Dec 27, 2021

Over 90% of the UK population aged over 12 have now received a first dose of a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, with the uptake of first doses has soaring recently with around a 50% increase week on week. To protect against the Omicron variant, the Prime Minister and NHS England launched the Get Boosted Now campaign on the 12 December, urging all eligible adults to come forward for their booster before the New Year. The national campaign has also led to an increase in first doses, with an almost ...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Dec 23, 2021

In my final weekly column of the year, I wanted to share some of my personal highlights of the year. Firstly, we have seen yet again over this week just how fortunate we are to live in such a selfless and hardworking community as more people have stepped forward to volunteer to help the ongoing vaccination programme (which has seen us become one of the most boosted countries in the world). I had my booster this week at the GWH and the local NHS has worked incredibly hard to increase capacity an...

Justin Welcomes Overwhelming Response To Christmas Gift Appeal

Dec 17, 2021

MP Justin Tomlinson has thanked the many generous people who responded to the Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service Christmas gift appeal. To support families who find themselves in the charity’s refuge this festive season, Mr Tomlinson asked for donations to ensure they have gifts to open on Christmas Day. With the help of Coun Kate Tomlinson, he arranged a collection point at his Orbital Shopping Park office, and Coun Oladapo Ibitoye took on the role of Father Christmas to deliver the gifts t...

Justin Gets Into The Festive Spirit At Local Christmas Markets

Dec 15, 2021

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson and his family get into the festive spirit by visiting Highworth Christmas Market & the Arkell's Christmas Market. Both events are very popular with local residents and provide a number of attrations and stalls for local businesses. For children there were fairground rides for them to enjoy, and even an opportunity to meet Father Christmas. Justin Tomlinson said: "I am a big advocate for supporting local businesses, and events like these Christmas ma...

All Adults In England To Be Offered A Booster Jab By The End Of The Year

Dec 13, 2021

The Prime Minister, together with the NHS, has launched an urgent national appeal calling for people to get jabbed, as he outlined plans to significantly increase NHS vaccination capacity. It comes as the UK Chief Medical Officers have today increased the UK Covid Alert Level from Level 3 to Level 4 due to a rapid increase in cases of the Omicron variant. The latest data suggests Omicron is extremely transmissible and will become the dominant variant by mid-December. Cases are now doubling every...

Swindon Advertiser Column - COVID Restrictions Must Have The Right Balance

Dec 10, 2021

The anger felt by the public this week has been understandable and justified. Like many others my family lost loved ones during the pandemic. I was also unable to see elderly relatives who were shielding on their own. I was therefore just as angry to see no.10 staffers joking about a Christmas Party whilst the rest of us were facing restrictions. The Prime Minister shares this anger and has rightly launched a formal, cabinet office investigation into any alleged parties & rule breaking at ...

Government Announces 10-Year Drug Strategy

Dec 07, 2021

The government’s new strategy to tackle drugs, sets out a bold, long-term vision for the next decade. It is designed to cut crime and reduce both the supply and demand for drugs by getting more people into treatment, breaking the cycle of crime driven by addiction and keeping drug-related violence out of neighbourhoods across the country. The strategy is backed by a new investment of almost £780 million for treatment - the largest ever increase - bringing total spending on drug enforcement and t...