Supporting Rural Communities

Agriculture is a key part of our local economy, heritage and way of life. I regularly speak with farmers and landowners about the sector's challenges and opportunities. Since April 2023, £34 million has been invested in farming in Skipton and Ripon. In January, the former Government announced a major update to farming schemes, increasing payment rates by an average of 10%. I will continue to push the new Government to maintain strong funding for farmers.

Farmers in Skipton and Ripon received £566,251 from the Animal Health and Welfare Equipment fund to invest in equipment that improves livestock care and farm efficiency. I will work to ensure the new Government builds on this support.

Protecting nature is also crucial. North Yorkshire Council received £388,000 to create a strategy for nature recovery and I helped secure £1.4 million for the Great North Bog conservation project. Additionally, funding was awarded to projects like ‘Denton Park Estate’ and ‘Heart of the Dales’ under the Landscape Recovery scheme and I will advocate for the new Government to continue these efforts.

News

Julian Smith MP praises award-winning cheesemonger

Julian Smith MP has welcomed the news that Courtyard Dairy, a cheesemonger in Austwick near Settle, has been announced as the winner of Countryside Alliance’s North of England Food/Drink award. Julian Smith said: ‘I pay tribute to this fantastic rural business for winning such a prestigious and com

Julian Smith MP meets representative from the Society of Independent Brewers

This week, Julian Smith MP met with James Calder, Head of Public Affairs at the Society of Independent Brewers, in Westminster, to discuss the breweries in the constituency and the impact of government policy. SIBA, the Society of Independent Brewers, which is based in Ripon, was established in 198

Julian Smith MP welcomes funding for North Yorkshire Net in Spring Statement

Julian Smith MP today welcomed new funding for North Yorkshire Net, following their successful bid for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Local Full Fibre Wave 2 Challenge Fund.  Funding for NYnet’s project was announced by the Chancellor in his Spring Statement. Julian Smith said:

Julian Smith MP welcomes increased funding for local authorities

Parliament yesterday approved the funding settlement for English local authorities that will see a real terms increase in available resources over the next two years and give them access to over £200 billion from 2015 to 2020 to deliver the high-quality services their local communities need. The se

Julian Smith MP meets caravan park owners in Parliament

Julian Smith met with Thomas, Jane and Isabel Marshall, who own Riverside Caravan Park in High Bentham, and Micheal and Hayley Thompson, who own Wood Nook Caravan Park in Threshfield in Westminster last week. The caravan park owners were attending the annual British Holiday and Home Parks Associati

Julian Smith MP welcomes feasibility study into reopening Skipton to Colne line

A new study into the potential reopening of a historic Lancashire to North Yorkshire rail line was announced today by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling. The Transport Secretary announced the feasibility study into the value of reopening the Skipton to Colne railway on a visit to Colne Railway

Julian Smith MP meets Transdev Blazefield CEO

Julian Smith met with Alex Hornby, the Chief Executive of Transdev Blazefield, in Ripon last week to discuss local bus services. Julian Smith said ‘It was a great opportunity to discuss the opportunities and challenges of bus travel with one of the main operators in our area.