Skipton & Ripon / data
Sir Julian Smith · Conservative and Unionist Party · sitting since 06 May 2010 · every division, speech and committee appearance.
Since election
5832days
from 06 May 2010
Divisions
361
of 504 possible
Attendance
72%
143 absent / paired
Whip alignment
99%
vs party majority
Speeches
78
60 debates
Written Qs
241
238 answered
Committees
0
memberships
Expenses
£260k paid
FY 2024–2025 · 129 claims
Interests
13
4 categories
A · Overview
Issue volume
Top issues by total divisions voted — engagement only, not direction.
| Issue | Volume | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Taxation | 84 | |
| Economy | 75 | |
| Crime & Policing | 39 | |
| Employment | 37 | |
| Education | 34 | |
| Welfare and Benefits | 19 | |
| Defence and Foreign Affairs | 19 | |
| Schools | 18 |
Speech topics
Words spoken, by topic. Source: Hansard.
| Topic | Debates | Words |
|---|---|---|
| Economy Jobs | 31 | 4,507 |
| Cost Of Living | 7 | 2,839 |
| Defence | 15 | 2,598 |
| Other | 8 | 2,005 |
| Mp Performance | 4 | 1,209 |
| Technology | 6 | 1,042 |
| Culture Community | 6 | 1,005 |
| Local Government | 11 | 950 |
B · Notable divisions
Free votes, rebellions and high-salience whipped votes — the moments that distinguish this MP from the party machine. The full division-by-division record will follow once the per-MP archive is wired.
| Date | Division | Whip | MP voted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Jun 2025 | Draft Contracts for Difference (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2025MPs voted on whether to approve new regulations extending subsidies (Contracts for Difference) to Drax power station, which burns biomass. S… | Rebelled | Aye |
| 26 Mar 2025 | Tobacco and Vapes Bill: Third ReadingMPs voted to pass the Tobacco and Vapes Bill at its final stage in the Commons. The Bill aims to create a 'smokefree generation' by graduall… | Free vote | Aye |
C · Speeches
| Date | Contribution | Words |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Apr 2026 | EnvironmentAL Audit CommitteeI commend the Committee Chair and the Committee on the report, and I commend the Government on the PFAS plan. I thank him and the Committee for attending the location in my constit… EnvironmentHealthEconomy Jobs | 102 |
| 16 Apr 2026 | NHS Federated Data PlatformOne of the issues that the hon. Gentleman has not discussed in his excellent speech is governance. The commissioner of the contract is the NHS, and it is also the main oversight bo… HealthTechnologyEconomy Jobs | 76 |
| 15 Apr 2026 | Strategic Defence Review: FundingOn the key recommendation of a national conversation to build support and understanding among the population, it is all very well having debates here or in Whitehall, but what conv… DefenceFiscal PolicyEconomy Jobs | 76 |
| 26 Mar 2026 | Topical QuestionsThe Government are rightly focused on bus services, but can I urge them to also think carefully about safety in bus stations? We have a big problem at Skipton bus station at the mo… TransportLocal GovernmentEconomy Jobs | 62 |
| 25 Mar 2026 | Proposed Visitor LevyUKHospitality talks about this tax being “the wrong policy at the worst time”. One of my worries is that entrepreneurs in the tourist industry in North Yorkshire and elsewhere are … Economy JobsFiscal PolicyLocal Government | 76 |
| 25 Mar 2026 | Good Friday AgreementMay I add to the tributes paid to the Table Clerk? Among all the advice he has given in the last 40 years, he gave particularly good advice on the meaningful vote, which left many … Culture Community | 104 |
| 25 Mar 2026 | Proposed Visitor LevyI am a big supporter of the hon. Lady, and I do not want to attack her personally, but we have a big issue in York and North Yorkshire. The Mayor is proposing this tax, which will … Economy JobsFiscal PolicyLocal Government | 62 |
| 19 Mar 2026 | Sustainable Farming IncentiveI am pleased to hear that answer, because farmers across Skipton and Ripon are really concerned about the fact that, having recently signed mid-tier agreements, they will not be el… EnvironmentEconomy JobsCost Of Living | 60 |
| 12 Mar 2026 | Business of the HouseManufacturers and distributors of bullets in the UK are extremely concerned about the decision by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ban lead bullets in 2029… DefenceCost Of LivingLocal Government | 59 |
| 11 Mar 2026 | Lord Mandelson: Response to Humble Address MotionTwo Global Counsel clients benefited from direct Government defence awards and Global Counsel staff flew to Washington parties to join Peter Mandelson. Will the Minister confirm th… Mp PerformanceFiscal PolicyOther | 76 |
| 05 Mar 2026 | Energy MarketsI thank the Secretary of State for his update. I echo the calls for support for business and keeping an eye on the impact of this crisis on business. For areas like mine in North Y… EnergyCost Of LivingEconomy Jobs | 67 |
| 23 Feb 2026 | Topical QuestionsT7. Small businesses across North Yorkshire are under massive pressure from national insurance, the workers’ rights Bill, rates, energy costs—the list goes on. Now that the consult… HousingLocal GovernmentEconomy Jobs | 56 |
| 23 Feb 2026 | Schools White Paper: Every Child Achieving and ThrivingI welcome the section on training in the SEND consultation, but much of it is not statutory. Will the Secretary of State confirm her thinking on that? Will she also confirm that au… EducationSocial Care | 50 |
| 10 Feb 2026 | Ministry of Defence: Palantir ContractsThe Minister and the Secretary of State have said that Peter Mandelson was not involved in the decision on Palantir. However, the issue is not the decision itself but the run-up to… DefenceTechnology | 105 |
| 10 Feb 2026 | Court Reporting DataI accept what the Minister is saying, but I do not understand why the dispute resolution has not worked and why there is still no opportunity for it to work. I should appreciate it… CrimeTechnologyOther | 80 |
D · Written questions
Top departments
| Department | Questions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Social Care | 45 | 18.7% |
| Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | 34 | 14.1% |
| Ministry of Justice | 32 | 13.3% |
| Home Office | 19 | 7.9% |
| Department for Transport | 18 | 7.5% |
| Department for Business and Trade | 17 | 7.1% |
| Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government | 16 | 6.6% |
| Treasury | 15 | 6.2% |
Most recent
| Date | Department | Question | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Apr 2026 | Department for Business and Trade | To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to publish his Department's (a) review of and (b) consultation on the opt-out collective actions regime. | Pending |
| 17 Apr 2026 | Department for Transport | To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how the Growth and Housing Accelerator Fund will support stalled housing developments in rural areas such as North Yorkshire; and what criteria National Highways will use to ensure that rural com… | Pending |
| 17 Apr 2026 | Department for Transport | To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that rural local authorities, such as North Yorkshire, are able to access the Growth and Housing Accelerator Fund on equal terms with urban areas. | Pending |
| 23 Mar 2026 | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2026 to Question 119270 on Ammunition: Lead, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of a decrease in the size of UK or… | Answered |
| 23 Mar 2026 | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2026 to Question 119270 on Ammunition: Lead, if she will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of a decre… | Answered |
| 23 Mar 2026 | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2026 to Question 119270 on Ammunition: Lead, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of restrictions on the production… | Answered |
| 23 Mar 2026 | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2026 to Question 119270 on Ammunition: Lead, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure, following the introduction of… | Answered |
| 23 Mar 2026 | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2026 to Question 119270 on Ammunition: Lead, if she will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the pro… | Answered |
| 23 Mar 2026 | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2026 to Question 119270 on Ammunition: Lead, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of restrictions on the production… | Answered |
| 20 Mar 2026 | Department for Business and Trade | To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 on a) the hospitality sector and b) levels of employment. | Answered |
| 20 Mar 2026 | Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government | To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the introduction of an overnight visitor levy on a) the hospitality sector and b) levels of employment. | Answered |
| 20 Mar 2026 | Treasury | To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of introducing the full 20p discount to the business rates multiplier for retail, hospitality and leisure on the hospitality sector. | Answered |
| 20 Mar 2026 | Treasury | To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing the full 20p discount to the business rates multiplier for retail, hospitality and leisure. | Answered |
| 20 Mar 2026 | Treasury | To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of providing relief on employer's National Insurance Contributions for those a) not in education, employment or training and b) under the age of… | Answered |
| 20 Mar 2026 | Treasury | To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing relief on employer's National Insurance Contributions for a) those not in education, employment or training, b) the long-term sick a… | Answered |
E · Committees
No committee memberships recorded for this MP.
F · Expenses
Every business-cost claim reimbursed by IPSA in the current financial year, grouped by category. “Aggregated” rows are IPSA’s own year-end totals for cost types like payroll and rent that aren’t itemised claim-by-claim.
Category breakdown
| Category | Claims | Paid (£) | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office Costs | 94 | 19,854 | 7.6% |
| Accommodation | 25 | 3,845 | 1.5% |
| MP Travel | 0 | 5,458 | 2.1% |
| Staff Travel | 0 | 5,890 | 2.3% |
| Staffing | 0 | 224,087 | 86.1% |
| Dependant Travel | 0 | 1,216 | 0.5% |
Top itemised cost types
| Cost type | Category | Claims | Paid (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pooled staffing services | Office Costs | 2 | 5,265 |
| Stationery & printing | Office Costs | 55 | 4,369 |
| Council tax | Accommodation | 10 | 2,015 |
| Software & applications | Office Costs | 2 | 1,410 |
| Utilities | Accommodation | 8 | 901 |
| Insurance - buildings | Accommodation | 1 | 760 |
| Venue hire, meetings & surgeries | Office Costs | 21 | 735 |
| Landline phone & internet - rental & usage | Accommodation | 6 | 170 |
| Landline phone & internet - rental & usage | Office Costs | 13 | 31 |
| Postage & couriers | Office Costs | 1 | 4 |
Most recent
| Date | Category | Description | Paid (£) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Mar 2025 | Office Costs Stationery & printing | JOHN MASON PRINTERS LI [200011725-6340] | 60 | Paid |
| 18 Mar 2025 | Office Costs Venue hire, meetings & surgeries | [200011725-4931] | 44 | Paid |
| 11 Mar 2025 | Office Costs Software & applications | ELECTED TECHNOLOGIES [200011725-4684] | 720 | Paid |
| 10 Mar 2025 | Office Costs Landline phone & internet - rental & usage | Landline | 2 | Paid |
| 19 Feb 2025 | Office Costs Stationery & printing | JOHN MASON PRINTERS LI | 330 | Paid |
| 13 Feb 2025 | Office Costs Venue hire, meetings & surgeries | Venue hire, meetings & surgeries | 15 | Paid |
| 13 Feb 2025 | Office Costs Landline phone & internet - rental & usage | Landline | 2 | Paid |
| 11 Feb 2025 | Office Costs Venue hire, meetings & surgeries | Venue hire, meetings & surgeries | 38 | Paid |
| 07 Feb 2025 | Office Costs Stationery & printing | Commercial March 2025 | 46 | Paid |
| 07 Feb 2025 | Office Costs Stationery & printing | Commercial March 2025 | 29 | Paid |
| 06 Feb 2025 | Office Costs Venue hire, meetings & surgeries | Venue hire, meetings & surgeries | 32 | Paid |
| 06 Feb 2025 | Office Costs Venue hire, meetings & surgeries | Venue hire, meetings & surgeries | 26 | Paid |
| 06 Feb 2025 | Office Costs Venue hire, meetings & surgeries | Venue hire, meetings & surgeries | 22 | Paid |
| 03 Feb 2025 | Accommodation Landline phone & internet - rental & usage | Landline | 28 | Paid |
| 13 Jan 2025 | Office Costs Venue hire, meetings & surgeries | Venue hire, meetings & surgeries | 30 | Paid |
| 10 Jan 2025 | Office Costs Stationery & printing | Key cutting for constituency office | 9 | Paid |
| 10 Jan 2025 | Office Costs Landline phone & internet - rental & usage | Landline | 2 | Paid |
| 08 Jan 2025 | Office Costs Venue hire, meetings & surgeries | Venue hire, meetings & surgeries | 38 | Paid |
| 06 Jan 2025 | Accommodation Landline phone & internet - rental & usage | Landline | 28 | Paid |
| 02 Jan 2025 | Accommodation Council tax | January Council Tax | 201 | Paid |
G · Register of interests
Every financial interest declared by the MP, grouped under the Register’s official categories. Retracted entries are hidden but counted above.
1. Employment and earnings9 entries
20 Jan 2026
Payment: Travel paid for a trip to Bern December 2025, value £1,049.41
Received on: 17 December 2025. Hours: no hours entered.
(Registered 15 January 2026)
20 Jan 2026
Payment: £489.20 Payment received for expenses incurred in December 2025
Received on: 14 January 2026. Hours: no hours entered.
(Registered 15 January 2026)
16 Dec 2025
Payment: £385.51 Incidental expenses reimbursment, incurred end Oct- Nov 2025
Received on: 8 December 2025. Hours: no hours entered.
(Registered 15 December 2025)
18 Nov 2025
Payment: £1,127.38 Return travel between London and Zurich plus accommodation.
Received on: 5 November 2025. Hours: I have not specified the number of hours because this expenses payment related to attendance at a voluntary board meeting in my capacity as Chair.
(Registered 12 November 2025)
04 Nov 2025
Payment: £90.62 Expenses reimbursed for attending a voluntary Board meeting.
Received on: 17 October 2025. Hours: I have not specified the number of hours because this expense payment related to attendance at a voluntary board meeting in my capacity as Chair.
(Registered 31 October 2025)
21 Oct 2025
Payment: Return travel between London and Geneva plus accommodation, value £964.25
Received on: 1 October 2025. Hours: I have not specified the number of hours because this expenses payment related to attendance at a voluntary board meeting in my capacity as Chair.
(Registered 15 October 2025)
05 Aug 2025
Payment: £1,465.02 Expenses reimbursed for travelling to a voluntary Board meeting attended.
Received on: 9 July 2025. Hours: I have not specified the number of hours because this expense payment related to attendance at a voluntary board meeting in my capacity as Chair.
(Registered 17 July 2025)
08 Oct 2025
Payment: £9,610.55 Payment for hours worked January-July 2025 and expenses incurred
Received on: 24 September 2025. Hours: 99 hrs.
(Registered 30 September 2025)
04 Feb 2025
Role, work or services: Chair
From: 28 January 2025.
Payer: International Finance Facility for Education (IFFED is a Geneva-based foundation providing a financing engine for global education.), Route de Chene 30A, c/o L&S Trust Services SA, 1208 Geneve
(Registered 28 January 2025)
3. Gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources1 entry
18 Apr 2024
Name of donor: Carlton Club
Address of donor: 69 St James’ Street, London SW1A 1PJ
Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: Honorary membership for life (value provided is that in 2024), value £760
Date received: 22 December 2017
Date accepted: 18 January 2018
Donor status: company, registration 00573221
(Registered 19 January 2018; updated 24 January 2024)
6. Land and property portfolio with a value over £100,000 and where indicated, the portfolio provides a rental income of over £10,000 a year1 entry
25 Feb 2025
Type of land/property: Residential property (A second property was sold on 14 February 2025 and a third property was sold on 28 February 2025).)
Number of properties: 1
Location: London
Interest held: from 4 August 2016
Ownership details: co-owned with a family member
Rental income: from 4 August 2016
Rental income details: rental income is paid to my partner and I
(Registered 23 April 2013; updated 4 August 2016, 19 February 2025 and 7 March 2025)
8. Miscellaneous2 entries
25 Mar 2025
Chair, (Director & Trustee) of Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution Limited (CEDR). This is an unpaid role.
Date interest arose: 12 December 2024
Date interest ended: 19 August 2025
(Registered 19 December 2024; updated 10 March 2025, 11 March 2025 and 20 August 2025)
27 Mar 2025
Chair of The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Taskforce for Electricity Network Infrastructure, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. This is an unpaid role.
Date interest arose: 18 March 2024
Date interest ended: 7 May 2025
Additional information: This taskforce is charged with developing an ADR process for land acquisition cases related to electricity network infrastructure projects that are being consented pursuant to the Planning Act 2008.
(Registered 19 March 2024; updated 21 May 2025)
H · Ward results
Most recent winning councillor in each ward — 14 wards, 14 councillor seats.
| Ward | Councillor | Party | Votes | Election |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aire Valley | Andy Brown | Green Party of England and Wales | 1,602 | 05 May 2022 |
| Bentham Ingleton | David Lloyd Ireton | Conservative and Unionist Party | 1,149 | 05 May 2022 |
| Glusburn Cross Hills Sutton In Craven | Philip Melvin Barrett | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | 1,061 | 05 May 2022 |
| Masham Fountains | Felicity Clare Cunliffe-Lister | Liberal Democrats | 1,349 | 09 Feb 2023 |
| Mid Craven | Simon Myers | Conservative and Unionist Party | 992 | 05 May 2022 |
| Pateley Bridge Nidderdale | Andrew Murday | Liberal Democrats | 1,002 | 05 May 2022 |
| Ripon Minster Moorside | Andrew Williams | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | 1,453 | 05 May 2022 |
| Ripon Ure Bank Spa | Barbara Brodigan | Liberal Democrats | 985 | 05 May 2022 |
| Settle Penyghent | David Michael Staveley | Conservative and Unionist Party | 1,078 | 05 May 2022 |
| Skipton East South | Robert Geoffrey Heseltine | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | 640 | 05 May 2022 |
| Skipton North Embsay With Eastby | David Christopher Noland | Green Party of England and Wales | 742 | 05 May 2022 |
| Skipton West West Craven | Andy Solloway | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | 503 | 05 May 2022 |
| Washburn Birstwith | Nathan Roger Hull | Conservative and Unionist Party | 891 | 05 May 2022 |
| Wharfedale | Richard William Foster | Conservative and Unionist Party | 1,164 | 05 May 2022 |
I · Demographics
| Indicator | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2021 Census) | 97,633 | Electorate 79,238 (2024) |
| Median age | 50 | years |
| Degree-educated | 37.4% | level 4 or above |
| Ethnicity (White) | 96.8% | 2021 Census ethnic group |
| Owner-occupied | 71.4% | households |
| Private-rented | 18.8% | households |
| Social-rented | 9.8% | households |
| Employment rate | 57.0% | 16-64 in work |
J · Public spending
HMT publishes headline spending identifiable by region in PESA. Constituency-level capital allocations (Levelling-Up Fund, Towns Fund, UKSPF, transport capital, BEIS R&D) are published as separate departmental datasets. We are evaluating the cleanest reconciliation for a per-constituency view.