News Category - Justin Tomlinson

Swindon Advertiser Column - One Year On From Lockdown

Mar 26, 2021

This week saw the one-year anniversary of our first Covid-19 lockdown. This has been one of the most difficult years in our nation’s history, but I pay tribute to the British people for their endurance, discipline and patience. I am pleased that the Prime Minister has spoken of building a fitting and a permanent memorial to those who sadly lost their lives to this terrible virus. This anniversary is also an opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in the fight against Covid-19. Thi...

Justin Welcomes Purchase Of Honda Site

Mar 26, 2021

North Swindon MP has welcomed the news that the Honda site has been sold in a deal which will bring £700million of investment to Swindon. In February 2019, Honda announced that it would be closing its Swindon factory in South Marston due to a restructure of its global manufacturing network and increased focus on electric car production. On Friday the news broke that Panattoni, Europe’s biggest developer of industrial and logistics facilities, had brought the site, promising to spend £700m once ...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Census Provides Wealth Of Important Information

Mar 19, 2021

This coming Sunday is Census Day, the day when every household should have completed their 2021 Census. Although it might seem like a bit of an inconvenience to complete, it is a very important and useful exercise. The very first census in the UK can be dated back to 1086, when William the Conqueror commissioned The Doomsday Book – a survey and tax assessment of the country following his invasion in 1066. However, the census we recognise today, being done every 10 years, was first commissioned i...

Thousands Of Rough Sleepers To Be Supported With £212 Million Government Investment In Homes

Mar 18, 2021

Thousands more rough sleepers will be helped to rebuild their lives away from the streets thanks to a multi-million-pound investment in dedicated homes launched today (18 March 2021) by the Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP. Homes will be made available in every region of England, enabling people who sleep rough, or at risk of sleeping rough, to be rehoused in secure, long-term accommodation. This will provide some of the most vulnerable in society with a place to live and help them to rebuild...

Swindon MPs Encourage Schools And Colleges To Sign Up For New Turing Scheme

Mar 17, 2021

•Schools, colleges and universities can now apply for funding to allow students to study and work across the world as part of the Government’s new Turing Scheme. • Replacing the UK’s participation in the Erasmus+ programme, the £110 million scheme will fund opportunities for around 35,000 students across the UK. •Demonstrating the Conservative Government’s commitment to levelling up education, the scheme will target students from disadvantaged backgrounds and areas Swindon MPs Robert Buckland an...

Census 2021 - Providing Vital Information For Government And Local Authorities

Mar 16, 2021

The Census is a survey that happens every 10 years and is run by the independent Office for National Statistics. It presents the ONS with the best means of getting a true reflection of the makeup of our society. It is really important - the Government and Local Authorities use the information to help provide the services that we all need including transport, education & healthcare. For further information please see www.census.gov.uk or call 0800 141 2021

Law Change Opens Door To Deaf Jurors Thanks To work Of Swindon MPs

Mar 12, 2021

Deaf people requiring the use of a sign language interpreter will be allowed to take part in jury service for the first time, thanks to the work of Swindon MPs Justin Tomlinson and Robert Buckland in their ministerial capacities. Current laws strictly prohibit anyone beyond the 12 sworn jurors from entering jury deliberation rooms. This is to safeguard against outside influence. However, it means that an interpreter would be deemed an unlawful ‘13th person’, thus preventing those who require ...

Swindon Advertiser Column - Working Hard To Make Sure Carers Get Covid Vaccine Invite

Mar 12, 2021

The vaccine rollout continues to go from strength to strength, with more than 21 million people having now received their first dose of the vaccines. The rollout has now reached those in the over 50s category. However, it isn’t just about age. Those clinically extremely vulnerable, those with learning disabilities and adult carers are also at the front of the queue for a vaccine. Last month, I had a very constructive meeting with Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi, where we discussed vaccine prio...

Daily Express Comment

Mar 11, 2021

The vaccine rollout is giving us all hope. Whether you’re one of more than 21 million people who have had at least one dose of the vaccine, whether it’s your parents or grandparents who have had it, or whether you’re simply following the progress and eagerly anticipating restrictions lifting for the 21 June. The progress is undeniably good news after a wretched 12 months. Having reached our target to offer a coronavirus vaccine to the top four priority groups by 15 February, we’re now making pro...

Justin Welcomes Step Closer To Government's Ivory Ban

Mar 10, 2021

The UK’s world-leading ban on importing, exporting and dealing in items containing elephant ivory in the UK moves a step closer today following the launch of a consultation on the implementation of the Ivory Act. Once implemented, the Ivory Act, which was a key government manifesto commitment, will introduce a near total ban on the import, export and dealing of items containing elephant ivory in the UK, regardless of their age, allowing only for a narrowly defined set of exemptions. The news has...