News - Justin Tomlinson

Swindon Advertiser Column - Track and Trace Will Help Return Life Back To Normal

May 29, 2020

Yesterday the Government launched a new track and trace service to help identify, contain and control the coronavirus, reduce the spread of the virus and save lives. The aim of the service is to help return life back to normality, in a way that is safe and protects our NHS and social care. The service will trace the spread of the virus and isolate new infections, and will play a vital role in giving us early warning if the virus is increasing again locally or nationally. Anyone who has tested po...

Swindon MPs Call Residents To Nominate Community Champions

May 22, 2020

North Swindon MP calls for residents to nominate Community Champions for Volunteers Week North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson, has joined forces with South Swindon MP Robert Buckland to recognise local community heroes. The MPs are calling for residents to get in touch and nominate a local community hero as part of Volunteers Week 2020. Volunteers Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering. This year’s Volunteers Week is due to take ...

Applications Open For Charities To Access Coronavirus Community Support Fund

May 22, 2020

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, has today announced that application are available for the Coronavirus Community Support Fund – part of the Governments unprecedented £750 million package of support to ensure that our charities and social enterprises can continue to step up to respond to the crisis, and keep their doors open to those most in need. A central part of this package is the £200 million Coronavirus Community Support Fund, which is being administered via th...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Amazing Levels Of Kindness In Swindon

May 22, 2020

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, with this year’s theme being kindness. This is a very relevant theme at present and I am pleased that, across the country and right in Swindon we have seen such an amazing level of kindness as people step up to help those less fortunate as we navigate the challenges of Covid-19. Throughout the week, this campaign has encouraged us all to speak up about any difficulties we may experience with our mental health – it really does make a difference to those...

Swindon To Received £1.5 Million To Support Care Homes Through Coronavirus Pandemic

May 19, 2020

The Government has announced that Swindon Borough Council is to receive more than £1.5 million to support local care homes. The funding is part of a £600 million Infection Control Fund, launched by the Government to reduce the transmission of coronavirus on care homes. The money will be used ensure that care homes can continue their efforts to halt the spread of coronavirus by helping them cover the costs of implementing measures to reduce transmission. This includes: · Rolling out training on i...

Swindon Advertiser Column - We Will Get Through This

May 15, 2020

On Monday, I was required to be in Parliament, responding from the Despatch Box on behalf of the Department for Work & Pensions. Parliament has been adapting to remote working where possible, with a hybrid system of MPs engaging via Zoom video conferencing and a small number of MPs physically present in the Chamber. Whilst clearly not ideal (with plans to return the majority of Parliament in a few weeks), it has allowed Parliamentary business to continue. For the Zoom video conferencing MP...

Swindon Advertiser Column - VE Day Can Inspire Us To Persevere Through Tough Times

May 08, 2020

75 Years ago today, the Allied Forces accepted Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender of its armed forces. The day became known as VE (Victory in Europe) Day, and marks the end of the Second World War in Europe. VE Day saw the end of one of the darkest times in contemporary history, so it is no surprise that the joy and relief felt by the country erupted into nationwide celebrations. On the day, over a million people across the nation took to the streets to celebrate with friends, family and n...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Colonel Tom Has Inspired Us All

May 01, 2020

There was some lovely news this week as the Prime Minister and his fiancé Carrie Symonds welcomed a baby boy into the world on Wednesday. It has certainly been a turbulent few weeks for the Prime Minister and Carrie, with both catching the coronavirus and the PM even entering intensive care. I am therefore delighted that they have some wonderful news to celebrate and I am sure that residents will join me in congratulating them both. For the last few weeks the Country has been inspired by Captain...

Justin Calls On People To Celebrate VE Day

Apr 30, 2020

The Government is calling on families to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, with North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson encouraging residents to join in. Sadly, social distancing means some of the major events that were originally planned will not be able to go ahead – however, a revised programme will ensure a fitting tribute to the greatest generation. The revised programme will include: a two-minutes' silence at 11.00am; the broadcasting of extracts of Sir Winston Churchill's VE Day speech,...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Parliament Goes Digital

Apr 24, 2020

Parliament has returned this week and what a difference to normal proceedings. The majority of MPs have been told to stay away and use technology to access Parliamentary debates, questions, statements etc. We are using Zoom, a computer programme which allows you to speak and be seen via your computer’s camera and microphone. Many users can join a Zoom session, allowing everybody to see each other. These Zoom sessions have also been broadcast on Parliament TV, allowing members of the public to v...