Thirsk & Malton Area Committee

Update from Kevin Hollinrake MP

My apologies for not being there in person today. As you make know, the legislation to allow Assisted Dying, which I support in principle, is being debated again today. This is such an important piece of legislation for my constituents and the nation. The right checks and balances must be in place, I will do everything I can to make sure that they are. 

Since my last update in March, I’ve continued to work hard on the issues that matter to people across Thirsk and Malton, and to represent our rural values and priorities on the national stage in my role on the Shadow Cabinet for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. It remains the greatest privilege of my life to serve the communities where I was born and raised, and this month marks ten years since I was first elected to Parliament. I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me, and I remain as committed as ever to standing up for our way of life in Westminster.

Over recent weeks, I’ve held constituency surgeries including in Bedale, Old Malton and Thirsk, meeting with residents to hear first-hand the challenges we face. I've also been on the doorsteps in Pickering, Filey and other local communities. One of the most frequent and heartfelt concerns I hear is about the future of our rural communities — whether it’s pressure on local services, the loss of bus routes, or the growing strain on our family farms.

The farming community, in particular, is facing increased uncertainty, not least due to the deeply concerning direction of travel in rural taxation. I recently hosted the Shadow Farming Minister in Thirsk and Malton to meet directly with local farmers. Their message was clear: current policies are putting generational family farms at risk. I am continuing to raise this directly with colleagues in Parliament. We must preserve our rural economy — not undermine it through poorly considered tax burdens.

The rural way of life doesn’t just support the local economy — it shapes who we are. That’s why I’ve spoken up about the threat to local character posed by the new sky-high top-down housing targets. While I absolutely recognise the need to deliver more homes, particularly for younger families and first-time buyers, these homes must be built in a way that fits with the local environment, using local builders wherever possible and reflecting our communities’ needs — not imposed by distant planning quangos or developers with no stake in our area. I continue to oppose the kind of “cookie-cutter” developments that treat countryside as a blank canvas for concrete.

I am especially alarmed by the proposed removal of the Rural Services Delivery Grant. This funding, £12m per annum for North Yorkshire alone, has been vital in helping councils provide essential services in sparsely populated areas like ours — from transport to public health. Its removal risks a widening gulf between rural and urban communities. I’ve made clear that this grant must be protected, and I will continue to lobby ministers on its urgent reinstatement.

On the issue of infrastructure, I’ve been working closely with other North Yorkshire MPs to push for the long-overdue dualling of the A64 between Hopgrove and Barton-le-Willows. This road is a lifeline for our region, and the delay in upgrades is hampering economic growth and frustrating local residents and businesses alike.

I was also pleased to attend the opening of the new Morrisons Daily in Helmsley — including a Post Office counter, which is essential in a town where access to banking and postal services is limited. Local shops and pubs are cornerstones of our towns and villages, which is why I’ve launched a new campaign to find the Best Pub in Thirsk and Malton, highlighting the serious pressures hospitality faces — not least from rising energy bills and staff shortages.

In Filey, I recently attended the Food Festival and celebrated National Fish & Chip Day. It was good to see the new Banking Hub, something I campaigned for as soon as the last bank closure was announced some years ago. I'd like to see more across my region. I’ve welcomed news that the York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority is working on a business case to reinstate the “Little Bus” service. Reliable public transport is not a luxury in rural areas — it’s a necessity, and I will continue to press for concrete action here.

Environmental concerns are rightly front of mind for many, and I’ve requested to speak in Parliament on grouse shooting — an issue that touches on the rural way of life, the economy, conservation, tradition and rural management. I’ve also raised concerns about wildfire risk in the North York Moors after a recent site visit. Our countryside must be protected, but it must also be understood and managed in a way that reflects the deep knowledge of those who live and work here.

On national issues, I’ve continued to press the Government on housing reform. While I support the goal of increasing supply, we must not sacrifice our countryside to hit arbitrary targets. Our planning system needs to work with local people, not against them. It is wrong that the government is legislating to prevent councillors' right to vote on all planning applications. I’ve also opposed cuts to Winter Fuel Payments and was pleased to see the Chancellor row back under pressure — a victory for common sense and for rural pensioners who are often most exposed to rising energy costs.

Meanwhile, I’ve kept up pressure over wider concerns, from the Labour-run Birmingham City Council’s mismanagement to serious national security issues surrounding the proposed new Chinese Embassy — issues where local values like accountability and prudence must guide our national direction.

Finally, I’ve met with residents at Lancaster West Estate, where the legacy of Grenfell Tower still casts a long shadow. We must never forget the lessons of that tragedy and must keep pushing for higher safety standards across all housing.

As ever, I remain grateful for the opportunity to serve Thirsk and Malton. If there is anything my office can help with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’ll continue to do everything I can to protect our rural way of life and ensure our communities not only survive but thrive for generations to come.

As ever, please do let me know if you have any specific concerns and I will deal with them by return.