This week I welcomed the news that Swindon Borough Council will receive £50,000 of Government funding to help them prepare for the introduction of landmarks legislation which I am spearheading as Justice Secretary that will ensure domestic abuse victims and their families get the vital help they need.
As the local MP, I regularly visit and work with local agencies involved in tackling domestic abuse in our town. Many brave survivors have shared their stories with me, so I fully appreciate the devastating impact their terrible crime has on victims and their families.
Often survivors are left living in fear in their own homes, the place where they should feel most safe and secure, so I am glad that alongside the Domestic Abuse Bill the Government has provided additional funding which will ensure victims and their families get the vital help they need.
If you are a victim or are worried about someone who is, please call the Swindon Domestic Abuse Partnership on 01793 610610 any time of the day or night.
I am delighted that South Swindon has been awarded £675,689 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future.
The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon Dance and Level III have been included in the 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. £257 million of investment was announced earlier this week and further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.
There is a lot of misinformation circulating that the Government through the Agriculture Bill will be lowering food production standards in order to secure future trade deals. Our food standards have been built up over many years and the Government has repeatedly said that will not compromise on those important standards to secure trade deals. Attempts by our political opponents to say otherwise are wholly misleading.
On Monday the Prime Minister made a statement on how we will fight back against this resurgent virus, protecting our NHS and saving lives, while keeping our children in school and our economy running to safeguard jobs and livelihoods.
The Government’s strategy remains to control the virus by bringing down the R number. We have chosen to prioritise the welfare of our children by keeping our school open, and to keep our economy moving forward with people working in a Covid-secure way. Additional measures must then be focused on reducing our social contacts. This is why we have the Rule of Six and why, regrettably, we have to place restrictions such as 10pm closing times, and table service only provisions on hospitality.
To ensure we have a simple and standardised approach to local rules, we are introducing a three-tiered system of Local Covid Alert Levels in England. More information on the different tiers and the corresponding rules, please visit gov.uk
As the Prime Minister said, this is not how we want to live our lives, but at this pivotal moment of very real danger, it is the only way to protect our lives – our livelihoods.
