It was UK Parliament Week between 1st and 7th November. This year the focus was on how small actions can lead to big changes, encouraging participants to get informed, take action and make an impact on issues they care about. Julian encouraged young people in Skipton and Ripon to get involved by writing to him about what small actions they have taken that have led to big changes.
During UK Parliament Week, Julian visited the Boyle & Petyt Primary School which is situated on the outskirts of Beamsley near to Bolton Abbey in the Yorkshire Dale and spoke to the students and gave a brief overview about his role as the MP for Skipton and Ripon. The KS2 students then asked Julian a number of questions, including about why he wanted to become an MP and what he does in Parliament and locally. Julian was particularly impressed that the students also asked about COP26 and the environment.
Julian said, 'The students were very enthusiastic about asking questions which was particularly great to see during UK Parliament Week. I am glad that young people are already thinking about the world around them and the difference each one of us can make by thinking and taking action on issues. I look forward to seeing the students again soon, hopefully next time in the Houses of Parliament.'
For Remembrance Sunday, Julian laid a wreath in Skipton honouring our fallen and remembering their sacrifices. Following the ceremony Julian caught up with members of the Royal British Legion. Further wreaths were laid in Ripon, Pateley Bridge and Bentham on Julian's behalf. Julian also placed a Remembrance tribute in the Constituency Garden of Remembrance in Parliament.
Julian officially opened King Cole’s Self-Sustaining Solar Powered System later in the month. The new system was supplied and installed by Craven Energies, also based in Skipton. King Cole now produces enough of its own power to run the entire office and warehouse during daylight hours. They are also exploring the possibility of installing onsite batteries which would store surplus energy and could be used during non-daylight hours. This technology is not currently widely available, but it is expected to be in the next year or two.
Julian continues to very closely monitor the efforts to restore power to households and businesses following Storm Arwen. Although many impacted households have had power restored, there remain villages and hamlets which continue to have no power as well as water. Julian has been clear that efforts must keep intensifying and he has been making urgent representations on behalf of his constituents to the energy operators and to Government departments.
If you know someone Julian can help, please encourage them to make contact with the office.
Separately, the Government has introduced new measures to inhibit the spread of the Omicron variant. Indeed, the Prime Minister stated on 27 November that our country needs to take ‘targeted and proportionate measures now as a precaution while we find out more’. Many countries have now been added to our country’s red list meaning travellers must hotel-quarantine on arrival and undergo stringent testing before leaving quarantine. All travellers into the UK must now take a second-day PCR test following their arrival and self-isolate until receiving a negative result.
All contacts of people with a suspected infection of the new variant will have to self-isolate for ten-days irrespective of vaccine status. On 30 November, face coverings became compulsory on public transport and shops. For more information, please use the link below:
Julian continues to monitor the situation in North Yorkshire very closely. On November 25, here in Craven, the seven-day rate – based on positive test results – stood at 476 per 100,000 people compared to 479 and 440 per 100,000 people across North Yorkshire and England respectively. Julian also continues to be in very regular contact with local officials and NHS professionals about the spread of the virus locally, including about the booster and flu vaccine rollout.
He strongly encourages people to keep coming forward for their vaccines when eligible – whether for a first, second or booster dose, or a flu, vaccine. If you would like to book a vaccine appointment, please use the link below:
