Nigel Adams Archives - Page 2 of 8

MPs Watch: Sewage concerns and illegal migration

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In April, North Yorkshire Council was launched after the abolition of North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and the remaining districts. Meanwhile, concern was raised again over sewage being discharged into rivers.

The month also saw Prime Minister Rishi Sunak overcome a Conservative Party rebellion to pass the government’s Illegal Migration Bill.

We asked Ripon MP Julian Smith and Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular, but we did not receive a response.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

On April 1, Mr Jones spoke at the re-opening of the Games in Parks kiosk at Conyngham Hall, Knaresborough.
Mr Jones also officially opened new independent store, Wave Aquariums, on Commercial Street, Harrogate.
On April 11, Mr Jones welcomed £5,417,114 in new funding from the government to support local businesses and create jobs for rural communities in North Yorkshire.
On April 12, Mr Jones attended a Copgrove village residents’ meeting to discuss a recent travellers encampment in the village.
On April 14, Mr Jones addressed concern over sewage discharges with a video entitled “Fact Check Friday” on his Instagram.
Mr Jones also attended a meeting with the regional director of Barratt Homes to discuss concerns at two developments within the constituency on April 14.
Mr Jones hosted a roundtable with local cyclists to discuss active travel in Harrogate & Knaresborough on April 22.
In the House of Commons on April 25, Mr Jones asked a question on encouraging over-50s back into work including encouraging employers to sign up to an age friendly employer pledge.
Mr Jones voted in line with the government on the third reading of the controversial Illegal Migration Bill on April 26. The bill proposes a change in the law so who arrive in the UK by irregular means can be removed to a third country such as Rwanda.

When we contacted Mr Jones for comment, his office sent a list of his engagements for April.

Among those included attending a Kids Aloud performance at the Royal Hall, chairing all party parliamentary meetings, attending a session in Parliament with cancer charity, Sarcoma UK, and visiting local performing arts early years academy, Performatots, to learn more about their work and congratulate them on their Ofsted performance.

He also met with the Charity Retailers Association in the House of Commons and attended Anzac Day at Stonefall Cemetery to commemorate and remember the lives lost of Australia and New Zealand citizens during the world wars.

Mr Jones’ office pointed out that his engagements and activities could also be found on his Community News website and his Facebook and Instagram feeds.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

On April 3, Mr Smith backed a residents’ campaign to buy back the Black Lion pub at Skelton-on-Ure.
On April 25, he posted on his website that he met with independent businesses in Pateley Bridge.
Mr Smith voted in line with the government on the third reading of the controversial Illegal Migration Bill on April 26. The bill proposes a change in the law so who arrive in the UK by irregular means can be removed to a third country such as Rwanda.
Mr Smith made no spoken contributions in the House of Commons in April.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, he is what we found on Mr Adams:

On April 11, Mr Adams tweeted his support for Yorkshire County Cricket Club president-elect Jane Powell.
Mr Adams welcomed £5,417,114 in new funding from the government to support local businesses and create jobs for rural communities in North Yorkshire.
Mr Adams voted in line with the government on the third reading of the controversial Illegal Migration Bill on April 26. The bill proposes a change in the law so who arrive in the UK by irregular means can be removed to a third country such as Rwanda.
Mr Adams made no spoken contributions in the House of Commons in April.

Business Breakfast: Knaresborough pest control company appoints new chief

A Knaresborough pest control company has appointed a new chief executive.

Alex Ashmore has joined Pelsis Group, which is based on Grimbald Crag Close.

Mr Ashmore, who previously worked for Delphi Technologies, will be tasked with continuing the group’s development in the pest control industry.

Martin Schwab, managing partner at Pamplona, Pelsis’ parent company, said:

“I am very pleased to welcome Alex to Pelsis.

“His deep, hands-on experience within complex global businesses makes him the ideal choice to accelerate Pelsis’ growth and capture the significant opportunities ahead of us, as well as continue to drive consolidation within the industry following the acquisition of Brandenburg and Sanitrade last year.”

Mr Ashmore said:

“I am delighted to join the Pelsis team at this exciting time for the company.

“Pelsis is known for its leading role in driving quality and innovation in the pest control market, and I look forward to working with our customers, suppliers and colleagues to address the needs of the industry, and continue to drive sustained growth.”

Minister visits Harrogate plant nursery

A government minister has paid a visit to a Harrogate district plant nursery.

Johnsons of Whixley hosted Trudy Harrison MP, parliamentary under secretary of state in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, along with Nigel Adams, the Conservative MP for Selby and Ainsty and Lee Lyons, a Defra civil servant.

(From left) Graham Richardson and Jonathan Whittemore from Johnsons of Whixley with Trudy Harrison MP and Nigel Adams MP.

Ms Harrison and Mr Adams were welcomed by group managing director, Graham Richardson to discuss issues including commercial importing and rising costs due to inflation.

Mr Richardson said:

“It was an honour to host the minister and other key individuals to discuss the key horticultural challenges facing our sector, the importance of our sector was acknowledged, and the challenges that the ‘retreat from peat’ brings in terms of a practical growing media alternative (in sufficient volume) and the associated timings are better understood.”

MPs Watch: Ukraine, Kex Gill and sewage

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In February, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, made a speech to MPs in the lead up to the first anniversary of the war with Russia. Major decisions were made on Kex Gill and Ripon Barracks. Meanwhile, concern was once again raised about sewage into rivers.

We asked Harrogate & Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, Ripon MP Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular, but we did not receive a response from any of them.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

On February 3, Andrew Jones visited Windsor House in Harrogate, which recently has undergone refurbishment.
Mr Jones wrote to North Yorkshire Police chief constable, Lisa Winward, following a crash on Yew Tree Lane which saw two teenagers seriously injured. He called for traffic calming measures in the Pannal Ash area.
He called for a debate in Parliament over access to grassroots sport after meeting with the Football Foundation and Pannal Ash Junior Football Club.
Mr Jones urged greater cooperation between developers on February 10 after residents raised concerns over unfinished road surfaces, poor drainage and inadequate street lighting on new estates.
On February 16, Mr Jones described criticism of his voting record on sewage as “ridiculous”. His comments came as concern was raised over the overflow of sewage into rivers.
On February 27, Mr Jones asked ministers in the House of Commons what more could be done to remove barriers for adults deciding to restudy and update their skills.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith met with teachers from the UK parliament teacher ambassador programme on February 3.
On February 8, Mr Smith attended a talk in Westminster Hall speech by Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Mr Smith described him as “the ultimate war leader”.
On the same day, Mr Smith published a letter from the Ministry of Defence confirming that Claro Barracks in Ripon will remain operational until later 2026. Part of the barracks are subject to planning permission for new housing.
Mr Smith made one spoken contribution in the House of Commons in February on the Northern Ireland protocol. He paid tribute to John Caldwell who was shot in Omagh.
On February 23, Mr Smith welcomed the government’s decision to approve a final business case for the A59 Kex Gill realignment.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, he is what we found on Mr Adams:

On February 7, Mr Adams described the appointment of Lee Anderson MP as the new Conservative Party chairman as a “clever appointment” by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Mr Adams tweeted on February 8 that planes should be supplied to Ukraine after a speech by President Zelenskyy
Mr Adams posted no new updates on his website in February.
He made no spoken contributions in the House of Commons during February.

MPs Watch: Strikes and free FIFA World Cup tickets

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local Conservative MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In January, the Harrogate district was hit by strikes by ambulance workers, nurses and rail staff. Meanwhile, one Harrogate district MP was revealed to have received free tickets to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

We asked Harrogate & Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular, but we did not receive a response from any of them.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

At the start of the month, Mr Jones welcomed a £2 cap on bus fares across the Harrogate district.
On January 11, Mr Jones wrote on his Community News website that he held a meeting with Nicola Shaw, chief executive of Yorkshire Water, over his campaign for bathing quality status at the River Nidd in Knaresborough.
On January 17, Mr Jones wrote on his website that he visited Daikin Sustainable Home Centre in Harrogate, which has been set up by Daikin UK and Duftons Plumbing and Heating Supplies.
Mr Jones spoke in Parliament on January 26 regarding a meeting with the English Football League over the government’s fan-led review into the governance of football. He called for a debate over the government’s next steps following the publication of the review.
Mr Jones also posted on his Instagram a video with Harrogate Town chief executive Sarah Barry talking about the review.
He also posted on his Instagram about a visit to Pannal Ash Juniors FC.
On January 27, Mr Jones signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment.
On January 30, Mr Jones voted in line with the government on its strike bill. Under the bill, some employees, including in the rail industry and emergency services, would be required to work during industrial action – and could be sacked if they refuse.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith posted no updates on his website in January.
He also made no spoken contributions in the House of Commons last month.
On January 26, Mr Smith posted on Twitter that he met with former Irish politician Bertie Ahern to discuss Northern Ireland.
Mr Smith voted in line with the government over its strike bill on January 30.
He paid tribute to Harrogate borough councillor Bernard Bateman MBE, who died last month. Mr Smith said Mr Bateman was a “hugely committed councillor and community campaigner”.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, he is what we found on Mr Adams:

Mr Adams posted four times on his website in January on matters relating to solar farms in Camblesforth, energy support payments and Selby volunteers heading to Ukraine.
On January 7, Mr Adams posted on Twitter to thank NHS and Yorkshire ambulance staff for helping his 88-year-old dad following a fall.
The Stray Ferret revealed on January 16 that Mr Adams had received free tickets and hospitality valued at £2,880 to the FIFA World Cup from the Qatar government.
On January 23, he posted an article by former Prime Minster Boris Johnson calling for support for Ukraine. Mr Adams said Mr Johnson “was not wrong”.
Mr Adams made no spoken contributions in the House of Commons in January.
Mr Adams voted in line with the government on its strike bill on January 30.

Harrogate district MP received free FIFA World Cup tickets from Qatar government

An MP whose constituency includes parts of the Harrogate district received free tickets and hospitality to the FIFA World Cup from the Qatar government.

The latest MPs’ register of financial interests reveals Conservative Nigel Adams received match tickets, flights and accommodation for the World Cup valued at £2,880.

Mr Adams, whose Selby and Ainsty constituency includes southern parts of the district including Spofforth and Follifoot, was part of a parliamentary delegation attending the World Cup from November 29 to December 1.

He attended a dinner with UK and Welsh government ministers hosted by the British Embassy to mark the participation of England and Wales in the tournament.

England played Wales on November 29 although Mr Adams’ entry on the register of interests does not specify which match he attended.

Mr Adams, a former Cabinet Office minister who will step down as an MP at the next general election, declared the trip in accordance with parliamentary rules.

Eighteen months ago, he received £6,000 worth of free hospitality tickets to three England Euro 2020 matches at Wembley Stadium

Human rights

The Qatar government was criticised for its human rights record during the World Cup.

Asked by the Stray Ferret about Mr Adams’ trip, Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s chief executive, said:

“It would be deeply worrying if any MP accepting hospitality from a foreign government were to feel compromised when it came to raising human rights issues.

“As we saw with the debate around the World Cup, the Qatari authorities sought to downplay some of the very serious human right issues in the country and it’s entirely likely they saw these trips as a means to win over MPs.

“Amid Qatar’s unprecedented World Cup building boom, hundreds of thousands of migrant workers were systematically exploited, and the tournament took place in a country where LGBTQ+ people run the risk of arrest and imprisonment, and where freedom of speech and women’s rights are unacceptably curtailed.”

Mr Deshmukh added:

“There is obviously an important place for parliamentary fact-finding trips, including as a means of raising human rights issues through private channels, but MPs receiving expenses from any government should ask themselves what might be expected of them in return.

“MPs’ own constituents and the wider public will expect politicians to continue to raise important human rights issues without fear or favour, regardless of whether they’ve been the recipient of a paid trip to Doha or anywhere else.”

The Stray Ferret has contacted Mr Adams about the trip but has not had a response.

MPs Watch: River Nidd water quality and Northern Ireland

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In December, Harrogate’s MP met with ministers over the future of River Nidd’s water quality. Meanwhile, Ripon MP Julian Smith focused much of his tweets this month on matters in Northern Ireland.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

At the start of the month, Mr Jones urged pensioners to look at pension credit eligibility amid the cost of living crisis.
On December 7, Mr Jones announced he had raised matters of bathing quality status for the River Nidd in Knaresborough with environmental quality minister Rebecca Pow.
Following the meeting, Mr Jones said he was “confident” of achieving the status.
On December 22, he wrote on his Community News website that he intends to work with businesses and residents to submit a case to government for the status in 2023.
Mr Jones made four spoken contributions in the House of Commons on skills, planning decisions in West Cumbria, biodiversity and alcohol duty.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith visited Nidderdale Museum on December 13 for a guided tour around the volunteer-led facility.
On December 15, Mr Smith tweeted that he was Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was visiting Northern Ireland.
On December 18, he tweeted that it was important that concerns in the Unionist community were addressed and that “here is full focus on ensuring that the EU & UK rework the post Brexit trading arrangements” in order to restore stability in Northern Ireland.
Mr Smith met with the chief executive of Airedale Hospital on December 22 to discuss “the challenges that the hospital is facing”.
Mr Smith made no spoken contributions in the House of Commons this month.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, he is what we found on Mr Adams:

Mr Adams tweeted just twice in December. One was to congratulate a Ukraine-related charity and another was about a beer brewed in Tadcaster.
On December 6, Mr Adams advertised a consultation on a devolution deal for North Yorkshire and York.
The following day he visited a new NHS diagnostics centre in Selby.
He made three news posts on his website throughout December.
Mr Adams made no spoken contributions in the House of Commons.

MPs Watch: Resignation honours and River Nidd water quality

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In November, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced his autumn statement, which included scrapping planned investment zones in the Harrogate district and across the country.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s resignation honours were also revealed, which is set to include district MP Nigel Adams.

We asked our three Conservative MPs, Harrogate & Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones, Skipton and Ripon’s Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty’s Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular that they have been doing this month, but, as usual, we did not receive a response from any of them.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found out on Mr Jones:

On November 10, Andrew Jones debated the possibility of the River Nidd at Knaresborough achieving bathing water status in the House of Commons.
Mr Jones called for a debate on green building regulations in the House of Commons to be “sped up”.
Mr Jones asked for reassurance from ministers on November 15 that park home residents would get support for energy bills amid concern over rising prices.
In response to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement on November 17, Mr Jones said he felt Mr Hunt had made some “difficult decisions but right ones”.
In response to new IPSA guidance over expenses for festive decorations, Mr Jones said he has “never used parliamentary expenses to pay for festive decorations or parties and I never will”.
On November 28, Mr Jones asked whether ministers would focus education funding on “creating estates to deliver the skills needed in the growth sectors of the future” after Harrogate College announced a £16 million estates scheme.

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon.

In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith made three spoken contributions in the House of Commons in November on matters relating to Northern Ireland.
On November 8, Mr Smith tweeted that he was pleased that Ripon Museums had secured a grant from Arts Council England.
Mr Smith commemorated Armistice Day by placing a tribute on behalf of Skipton and Ripon in parliament’s garden of remembrance.
Mr Smith also laid a wreath on Remembrance Sunday in Ripon as part of commemorations on November 13.
The Ripon MP paid tribute to local constituency Cllr Margaret Atkinson on November 14, who died suddenly. He said she had “a passion, focus & dedication to public service which she pursued for many decade”.
Mr Smith made no public comment on Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement, but he retweeted the Treasury Twitter account announcing measures included in the statement.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

On November 8, it was revealed by The Times newspaper that Nigel Adams is in line for a peerage in former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s resignation honours.
On November 23, Mr Adams asked Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for more support for bus services as he warned that 80 services across the county were at under threat.
Mr Adams spoke only once in the House of Commons in November, which was to ask the Prime Minister for support on buses in North Yorkshire.
He made no public comment on Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement.

Axing 80 bus services in North Yorkshire would be ‘devastating’, says campaign group

A new campaign group has warned that axing 80 bus services in North Yorkshire would be “devastating”, as fears of a cull grow.

Conservative MP Nigel Adams, whose Selby and Ainsty constituency includes parts of the Harrogate district, told Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday about 80 bus services in North Yorkshire were under threat.

Last week Cllr Keane Duncan, executive member for highways and transportation at North Yorkshire County Council, said the county’s bus network was “facing a really grave situation”.

Today Matthew Topham, a campaigner at Better Buses for North Yorkshire, said the loss of buses would have wide implications. He said:

“These cuts would be devastating. Folks might have to get into debt to buy cars, uproot their families to move closer to work, or risk assault walking home with no buses in some areas after 7pm.”

Better Buses for North Yorkshire was founded last month to campaign for reform of how the bus network is run.

Mr Topham said North Yorkshire devolution presented an opportunity to overhaul the system. North Yorkshire County Council and seven district councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, will be abolished on April 1 and replaced by the new North Yorkshire Council.

An elected mayor for North Yorkshire and York, with new powers that could include transport, is also set to be appointed.

Mr Topham said:

“The crisis in North Yorkshire’s buses stem from the awful system we use to run them — a patchwork of private companies prevented from integrating their services by competition law. No other European country has such a ridiculous system.

“Compare this to networks in local control where the council coordinates services to maximise the public benefits — for instance, the locally controlled networks in London and Jersey are much more efficient with public subsidy and deliver more frequent and reliable services.

“If we want to protect our services from cuts, our local leaders must seize the opportunity presented by the new devolution deal to bring buses into local control here too.”

Better Buses for North Yorkshire is running a petition calling on buses to be brought under local authority control.

80 bus services in North Yorkshire under threat, says Harrogate district MP

A Conservative MP whose constituency includes parts of the Harrogate district has said 80 bus services in North Yorkshire are under threat.

Nigel Adams, who represents Selby and Ainsty, revealed the number during Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament today.

Mr Adams, whose constituency includes Spofforth and Follifoot, told Rishi Sunak that last month bus operator Arriva stopped the only bus between Selby and Doncaster, leaving 40 Selby College students having to find alternative transport at short notice.

He added:

“Additionally across North Yorkshire about 80 other bus services are now under threat.

“Can he advise what action he will take to ensure that essential bus services are not withdrawn at short notice and ensure that these continue to be operated across Selby district and wider North Yorkshire?”.

Mr Adams said fellow North Yorkshire MP Mr Sunak, who represents Richmond, knew how “crucial” bus services were.

The Prime Minister replied:

“I’m pleased that the Chancellor has allocated funding for extra bus services across the country and I look forward to working with him (Mr Adams) to ensure that the money finds its way to rural areas like North Yorkshire to provide the connectivity that’s so important for people to have opportunity and get access to public services.”

Buses on a cliff edge?

Today’s comments by Mr Adams will fuel concerns about the future of many rural bus services in the Harrogate district.

Last week Cllr Keane Duncan, executive member for highways and transportation at North Yorkshire County Council, said the county’s bus network was “facing a really grave situation”.

He added:

“The message across the county is use it or lose it. We need people to support these services.”

Liberal Democrat councillor for Pateley Bridge, Andrew Murday, said residents of his division faced having just two services a day to Harrogate.

He said:

“We just have to do something about bus services, and encourage more people onto buses. We need to know how we are going to go about discouraging people from driving and encouraging people on to buses, so bus services can thrive.”

Seven months ago the government rejected the council’s bid for a £116m share of Boris Johnson’s high-profile Bus Back Better initiative, saying the local authority’s plans lacked ambition.

Harrogate district MP in line for peerage in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours

Nigel Adams has been nominated for a peerage as part of Boris Johnson’s resignation honours, according to media reports.

The Selby and Ainsty MP, which includes southern parts of Harrogate, is among 20 people set to be included on the former Prime Minister’s peer list, reports The Times.

Nadine Dorries, former Culture Secretary, Alister Jack, Scotland Secretary, and Alok Sharma the outgoing Cop26 president are also set to be nominated to be elevated to the House of Lords.

Conservative Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, is also reported to be on the list.

Adams, who was a cabinet minister without portfolio in Johnson’s government, has already announced he will stand down at the next general election.

He was regarded as a key ally of the former Prime Minister.

Mr Adams was first elected in 2010 and has defended the seat in three subsequent elections.

He currently holds the Selby and Ainsty seat with a majority of 20,137.

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Human rights

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Buses on a cliff edge?

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