As 2023 Begins
I would like to wish everyone a very happy and peaceful New Year 2023. It's been a challenging time for all of us, and those challenges will continue. But I think it's important to reflect and remember that in the last year, we've seen the lowest unemployment in nearly fifty years, an extra 15,000 police officers have been recruited, an extra 34,000 NHS staff have also been recruited, and the biggest energy intervention that we've seen in many a year is now in place to deal with the unprecedented challenges of the war in Ukraine and international pressures on inflation.
In 2023, I will continue to work hard both here in Swindon and Westminster, serving you as your MP, and I will continue to work to support a Conservative government that is dedicated to getting us through the toughest of times, to ensure that our economy is resilient for the challenges ahead.
Swindon Awarded More Than £3 Million In New Government Levelling Up Funding
I am pleased that just before Christmas, the Government awarded Swindon more than £3 million in new funding, which will be distributed to several community groups and charities locally and used to help tackle Swindon’s levelling up challenges and support youth work in the town.
Charities and community groups who will receive a share of the funding include, Julia’s House and The Big Dog Art Trail, Harbour Project, Alzheimer’s Society, and the Wrong Shoes Theatre Company.
Organisations working with and for the Council will also receive funding to improve accessibility for those wishing to use resources, and money will also be allocated to improve apprenticeship offerings within the council.
£1.2m will also be spent on an adult numeracy programme called Multiply, which aims to help improve numeracy skills in adults who don’t have a maths GCSE at grade C or equivalent.
When it comes to Government funding, along with North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson, I will continue to work hard to ensure that we receive our fair share here in Swindon.
Creating Job Opportunities For Neurodiverse People
With only two out of ten adults with autism in employment, that is a shocking gap that we need to fill and there is much work to be done. However, I am pleased with the progress that I have started to make in this area, by joining forces with some excellent organisations including Neurodiversity in Business, which has been set up to improve the life chances of neurodivergent people.
I am also pleased to be working with GAIN (Group for Autism, Insurance, Investment, and Neurodiversity) and Zurich, who are based here in South Swindon, to create job opportunities for neurodiverse people across the sector.
Laptops For Local Schools And Charities
I continue to work hard on my Laptops for Local Schools and Charities Scheme, which provides refurbished laptops and devices to local school children, charities, and community organisations. This green imitative also helps to reduce landfill locally.
Since I began the scheme back in January 2021, hundreds of devices have been donated to schools and charities here in Swindon.
I am continuing to call for residents and businesses here in Swindon who have unwanted or unused devices to get in touch so that these can be put to good use via the scheme.
If you have a national or local issue you would like to raise with me, please get in touch by emailing me on robert.buckland.mp@parliament,uk or by ringing 01793 533393.
