£1,841,702 for Swindon Council to set up a new SEND service called Experts at Hand.
What does that mean?
Quicker, earlier, easier access to specialist support from educational psychologists,
occupational therapists, speech and language therapists for local children with SEND.
I've written to Chancellor Reeves urging her to increase investment in defence to keep our country safe. I am delighted to see that she is considering new 'war bonds' that would allow members of the public and financial institutions to buy bonds to raise money ring-fenced for national security.
Some of you may not know I sit on the Backbench Business Select Committee — the first of its kind in the House of Commons. We decide which debates backbench MPs get to bring forward, and where they're heard.
The club supports many people across the Swindon and Wiltshire area. Please dig deep and donate to help keep it alive.
Disclaimer: All proceeds raised will go directly to Swindon RBL The Club, which is the charitable entity responsible for running the building.
www.gofundme.com/f/the-club-s...
I am raising money to support The Club Stratton Royal British Legion in Swindon. Being an ex-Rifleman, the Royal British Legion is close to my heart.
It is the last Royal British Legion club in the town, and we are looking to raise £20,000 to support the club with ongoing building maintenance costs
It was fantastic to a host a Drop-In event in Parliament with Eco Ninja's and staff from Great Western Hospital this week. They aim to introduce surgical theatre hat badges across the NHS which will easily identify all members of a surgical team.
Exciting to meet Vertical Aerospace in Parliament this week following their milestone two-way transition flight a major step towards UK certification.
With their base near Swindon in Shrivenham, they're already great local employers and I'd welcome seeing them expand further into Swindon.
One of my central goals is to improve access to Education in our town and make sure that kids growing up in Swindon North know they can achieve anything they put their minds to and government are giving New College Swindon a £1.5m boost from the FE College Condition Allocations (FECCA)
Defence companies investing in towns like Swindon don't just strengthen our national security. They pay business rates, create skilled jobs, and put money back into local communities.
Strong defence is good economics. Tackling the cost of living and investing in defence go hand in hand.
On the 7th of May we have some important elections in Swindon.
This time, for the first time in many years, we have all 57 council seats up for election.
Remember, you won't be able to vote if you don't take photo ID!
Great to visit nLighten, a fantastic Swindon based Data Centre, securely storing multiple companies data and protecting their ability to work effectively in the modern age. They're open to new clients and have multiple data options. You can find out more here: www.nlighten.com/en/edge-loca...
For some time now I've been working to support female service members in receiving appropriate body armour and am also pleased to support the Female Veterans Transformation Programme (FVTP).
: covenantfund.org.uk/female-veter...
I know there is a high level of concern about the provision of SEND support in local authorities and schools. I'm raising the concerns parents have raised with me with the Education Secretary but in the meantime I am pleased that Swindon receiving an extra £285k, taking this year’s total to £2.6m.
Fantastic to be out in the sunshine today speaking with residents alongside Wes Streeting and local volunteers in Haydon Wick. I had some really important conversations with residents about the NHS, and how the Council and wider government can address concerns in Swindon.
In November last year Ofcom identified the disproportionate harms that affected women and girls on the internet and I recently joined a number of my colleagues in calling for Ofcom to recognise the specific harms that can disproportionally impact boys and men online.
I recently signed an open letter urging OFWAT and the DEFRA Secretary to reject Thames Water's bid to be immune from paying fines up to 2030. I have also written separately to Thames Water directly.
It's been a busy few weeks in Swindon North with £20m from the Chancellor for a new entertainment venue and a 7th Drone company setting up in the Swindon Drone Hub. Read all about it in my latest newsletter! willstonemp.substack.com/publish/post...
Really grateful to the work my team do on a daily basis to assist me in supporting residents of Swindon North with a variety of issues. If we can help we will, if you need support please contact us on Will.stone.mp@parliament.uk
Great to catch up with Danish company MyDefence who are choosing to set up their offices in Swindon. As global leaders in soldier-borne Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS), MyDefence are driving innovation with a soldier-first ethos, protecting infantry on the ground from drone attacks.
I was pleased to join Zelim and its Chief Strategy Officer Andrew Tipping for a fireside chat with innovators from the NATO DIANA programme, brought together by IoT Tribe.
Fantastic to meet Oliver Newman, head of business development and capture at Stark, a company that has set up its British site in Swindon!
Stark are hiring and you can apply via the link in the comments.
Great to host a community surgery in Haydon Wick alongside Cllr Stanka Adamcova and nice of Cllr Ravi Venkatesh to stop by. I'm always looking to be out in the community when I'm not in London whether that's at surgeries, canvassing or visiting local businesses.
As the first British MP to have a Black Belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu, and former owner of a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym, I met with Stephanie Peacock, Minister for sport, media, civil expert and youth. It was a great opportunity to raise the profile of Parajiujitsu and see what support we can offer.
I agree, the letter also asks the government to bring Awaab’s law forward.
Lovely to meet Nye from Generation Rent. I recently signed a letter on the decent homes standard and support the work they've undergone to push Awaab's law beyond social housing into private rented accommodation.
Fantastic to meet JD Johnson, Vice President of Government Solutions and Strategy at General Motors Defense. GM Defense has teamed up with leading British companies NP Aerospace and BAE Systems as part of Team Lionstrike.
Hoxton Farms are leading the way in alternative proteins which is a major opportunity, not just for the economy but for health, sustainability, and food resilience. I am thrilled that the Government are backing the sector.
It was great to visit Prolinx and see first-hand the vital work being delivered right here in Swindon to support some of our most demanding, mission-critical environments by strengthening the UK’s digital resilience.
I look forward to seeing how Prolinx can collaborate with the Swindon Drone Hub.
Today is Single Parents Day, dedicated to recognising and appreciating the hard work of single parents. I wore a gingerbread pin from the fantastic Gingerbread charity, which supports single-parent families.
