Your Skipton Radio

6:00pm - 6:30am

Email the studio

Vonda Shepard

Searchin' My Soul

Listen Live Podcasts

Local MP shares speech on home affordability in Skipton and Ripon

Wednesday, 9 April 2025 09:49

Skipton Group featuring Julian Smith.

Skipton and Ripon MP, Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE, hosted and delivered a speech at Skipton Group's inaugural Parliamentary Reception on "Unlocking the Home Affordability Challenge for First-Time Buyers."

The event, held on 1st April, at the Thames Pavilion in the Palace of Westminster, brought together key figures from across the housing sector to address the pressing issue of home affordability in the UK.

The event followed as changes have been made to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) in England and Northern Ireland.

Julian joined a variety of speakers, including Skipton Group CEO Stuart Haire and Kevin Hollinrake MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The event was chaired by Helia Ebrahimi, Economics Correspondent at Channel 4.

In his speech, Julian emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts to tackle the challenge of home affordability.

He highlighted the significant impact of this issue on first-time buyers in his constituency of Skipton and Ripon, and across the UK.

Commenting on the event, Julian said,

"It was great to host The Skipton Group's inaugural Parliamentary Reception was an important step in highlighting and addressing the challenge of home affordability in Skipton and Ripon and across the UK.

"It is essential that parliamentarians, the Government and the wider housing industry work together to find practical solutions that enable more people to achieve homeownership."

The Skipton Group Home Affordability Index, created in partnership with Oxford Economics, was a focal point of the event.

The Index provides insights into the affordability challenges faced by renters, first-time buyers, and homeowners by age, income, geography, and family type.

Attendees had the opportunity to explore the Index's interactive tool and discuss its findings with representatives from Skipton Group and Oxford Economics.

More from Local news

Council rejects rumours that housing for the homeless would accommodate asylum seekers

North Yorkshire Council has rejected claims circulating on social media that more than 100 homes being acquired under a council housing programme are intended for asylum seekers.
Northern expands mobility scooter access across its train fleet

Passengers using mobility scooters across North Yorkshire will now be able to travel on every type of train in Northern’s fleet, provided they have a free permit and their scooter meets the relevant requirements.
Retiring North Yorkshire Council chief executive gets pay package of almost £245,000

North Yorkshire Council's retiring chief executive received a total pay package worth almost £245,000 during the last financial year, new figures show.
Skipton pubs win Best High Street Pub in local awards

Pubs and hospitality workers across Skipton and the surrounding area have been recognised in Julian Smith MP’s Local Pub Awards 2026.
North Yorkshire residents urged to recycle more household waste

Residents across North Yorkshire are being encouraged to check that recyclable household items are being placed in the correct containers.
Dental practice shortlisted for six categories at Private Dentistry Awards

A Keighley dental practice which treats patients from across Skipton has been shortlisted in six categories at this year’s Private Dentistry Awards.
Local teachers urged to apply for UK Parliament’s Teacher Ambassador Programme

Teachers and educators across Skipton and Ripon are being encouraged to apply for a fully-funded programme offering the chance to learn more about how Parliament works.
Skipton woman celebrates 70th birthday trading gifts for donations to Yorkshire Air Ambulance

A Skipton family has celebrated a milestone birthday with a generous donation to Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
MPs urge Prime Minister to make A64 dualling a priority

Four North Yorkshire MPs have called on new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to make the long-awaited dualling of the A64 a priority for his government.
Love Boutique Skipton reopens at new location after rising costs force move

A Skipton boutique has relocated to new premises after rising business rates and increasing costs forced the closure of its former town centre shop.
Skipton's longest running opticians expands to Ilkley

A long-established Skipton optician has announced a change in ownership alongside the launch of a new practice in Ilkley.
Care group's projects shortlisted for Bradford Cares Excellence Award

Two projects run by local care group Spellman Care have been named finalists in the Bradford Cares Excellence Awards.
Skipton residents urged to have their say on long-term transport plans

Residents, businesses and community groups across Skipton and Ripon are being encouraged to have their say on plans which could shape transport investment across York and North Yorkshire for the next 25 years.
Skipton boy to visit every RNLI station in teacher's memory

A 10-year-old Skipton boy and his family are aiming to visit every RNLI lifeboat station in memory of a much-loved primary school teacher.
Funding approved for Space Test Centre in Keighley

KEIGHLEY will boldly go where no Northern town has gone before after Council bosses agreed to £4.5m funding to help a US company set up a space testing centre in Keighley.
Skipton coach to run 200km from Liverpool to Leeds for mental health charity

A CrossFit coach based in Skipton is preparing to take on a 200km endurance challenge along the canal to raise money for a mental health charity.
Council officers facing "heavy workload" due to amounts of complaints about councillors

Council officers are continuing to face a "sustained heavy workload" dealing with complaints about the conduct of councillors in North Yorkshire.
Police appeal to locate wanted Minskip man

Police have launched an appeal to locate a wanted man who could be in the local area.
Silsden to host first community Jumble Trail this weekend

Silsden's first community Jumble Trail will take place this weekend, with nearly 40 households set to participate.
Councillors question if council-owned housebuilder will ever turn finances around

Concerned councillors have questioned whether North Yorkshire Council’s loss-making housing company will ever turn its finances around — despite a five-year recovery plan being drawn up.