News - Justin Tomlinson

Local MP Backs New Top Tips For Online Business Security

Jul 29, 2013

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson has urged businesses to think about cyber security and follow the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) top tips to stay safe online. The Federation of Small Businesses recently published a report, Cyber security and fraud: the impact on small businesses, which shows that cyber crime costs its members around £785 million per year as they fall victim to fraud and online crime. The report shows that 41 per cent of FSB members have been a victim of cyber crime in th...

Swindon Advertiser Weekly Article - 26th July 2013

Jul 27, 2013

Are YOU brave enough to explore The Awful Upstairs, The Gruesome Ground Floor and The Spine-tingling Cellar? Dare you discover the secrets of Creepy House and meet some of the hair-raising residents?Looking at the enthralling tales behind Creepy House, the visually stunning artwork and the fun poster that form this year's Summer Reading Challenge, I have to say that my answer to Swindon Libraries' sales pitch was yes, yes and where do I sign up! National library usage figures are falling, but la...

Chancellor Hails Swindon As Success Story

Jul 26, 2013

North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson, welcomed Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne MP, to Swindon to meet local hardworking people who are helping to rebuild the economy. The pair were joined by South Swindon MP, Robert Buckland, as they visited the site of track re-doubling on the Swindon-Kemble line, as well as key local employer MAN, who are developing the latest military vehicles that will soon be handed over troops on the frontline in Afghanistan. The re-doubling of the Swindon-Kemb...

How To Protect Vulnerable People Who Turn To Payday Lenders

Jul 26, 2013

We have all watched TV when the adverts come on. Quick cash quid in your pocket now, just text, call, go online, money in minutes. 5853 per cent APR representative pops up in the small print at the end. Most baulk at the high APR, yet in the 2011/12 an estimated £8 million payday loans were taken out in the UK. Recent debate has painted these borrowers as financially excluded vulnerable people, lured into borrowing money that they cannot afford to pay back.It is important to put payday lending...

Swindon Advertiser Weekly Article - 19th July 2013

Jul 23, 2013

Yesterday, the division bell that rings across Parliament to signal a parliamentary vote fell silent for Summer Recess. For the next six weeks it will not ring, there will be no scrum at the escalator as hundreds of MPs race to get to the division lobbies within the eight minute deadline. The week before Summer Recess is always the same. Monday and Tuesday are about the busiest you will ever be, making sure that what needs to be done in London is done and that the office is prepared to work wi...

Minister Praises SEQOL Enterprise Works During Visit

Jul 23, 2013

The Minister for Disabled People, Esther McVey, has visited the SEQOL Enterprise Works with North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson and praised the work being done by the organisation. SEQOL Enterprise Works, which produces timber panels, signs and packaging, helps unemployed people with a variety of disabilities to gain the skills and confidence to enter the job market and remain there. The enterprise is run as a real business, offering people an opportunity to learn a variety of skills, from driving...

Justin Praises Local Police Officers As Crime Hits Record Low

Jul 22, 2013

North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson, has praised local police officers after crime fell for the second year running. Crime across Swindon and Wiltshire fell by more than 6% over the past twelve months thanks to the tireless work of the constabulary's officers, who have reduced the level of offences to a 30-year low. Nationally, crime is down by more than 10% under this government and at its lowest level since the crime survey began in 1981. The independent crime survey also shows that the public'...

Justin Tomlinson MP Hosts Nationwide Parliamentary Event

Jul 22, 2013

Justin Tomlinson MP, joined by Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd MP welcomed Nationwide Chief Executive, Graham Beale and organisations from across Swindon and the UK to Westminster to celebrate the Nationwide Citizenship Strategy. Over 5 years Nationwide, whose Head Office is in Swindon, will deliver activities which will help develop people's capabilities in housing, money management skills and support those who live in the communities Nationwide operates in across the UK. Help 750,000 pe...

Justin Digs In To Protect The Bees

Jul 22, 2013

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson and his wife Jo visited B&Q Swindon earlier this week to learn how the UK's largest garden centre is helping to save the bee population. Launched earlier last week, Bee Café workshops at B&Q's Kids Can Do It centres will help teach children how to create a bee friendly habitat at home. The workshops for 7-11 year olds let children get hands on, by creating their very own Bee Café with pollen rich plants. Justin helped the kids get stuck in whilst learnin...

Local MP Supports Campaign To Get Children Reading This Summer

Jul 22, 2013

Local MP Justin Tomlinson is supporting a campaign run by charity The Reading Agency to encourage all primary school children to join their local library and take part in this year's Summer Reading Challenge - the UK's biggest reading promotion for primary school children. Research shows the Summer Reading Challenge increases children's reading range and their enjoyment of reading significantly. It builds confidence and independent reading, while combating the dip in children's literacy levels ...