Funding for Farming 2024-09-12
2024-09-12
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Farmers in Martin Vickers' constituency are concerned about the level of funding for farming.
If he will maintain the level of funding for farming. Farmers in my constituency who receive funding through the sustainable farming incentive are concerned that some of the schemes are becoming over-subscribed and therefore their income is reducing. Will the Secretary of State give a reassurance that that particular initiative will continue and will do so at the existing funding levels?
The Government will restore stability and confidence in the sector by introducing a new deal for farmers to boost rural economic growth and strengthen food security alongside nature's recovery. The Government are currently conducting a spending review, which will conclude in October. Departmental budgets, including spending on farming, will be confirmed through this process.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide concrete assurances about maintaining the funding levels for specific schemes like sustainable farming incentive.
Spending Review Process
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Labour party manifesto stated that food security is national security. Harriet Cross asked if there would be real-terms cuts to the agriculture budget.
Will the Secretary of State confirm that there will be no real-terms cuts to the agriculture budget? The Labour party manifesto rightly stated that the Labour party “recognises that food security is national security.” I agree, but those words must be matched with actions. We have already asked today about future budgets, but have not heard any answers.
As the hon. Member will know, there is a spending review process going on, which will culminate with announcements in the Budget. That is the point at which all of that will be made clear and apparent.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm or deny real-terms cuts to agriculture budget.
Spending Review Process
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The new Government have not provided clarity about future funding settlement for farmers in John Lamont's constituency.
Can the Secretary of State commit not to cut the funding for farmers and food production? Being an MP for the Scottish Borders, I am lucky enough to represent some of the best farmers and food producers in the whole of the UK. However, as we have heard, the new Government have chosen not to give them any clarity about their future funding settlement.
I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his appointment as shadow Secretary of State for Scotland. As I said previously, a spending review process is going on. No Government announce their Budget in advance of the Budget taking place.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to not cutting funding for farmers.
Spending Review Process
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Farmers in Martin Vickers' constituency who receive funding through the sustainable farming incentive are concerned about over-subscription.
Will the Secretary of State give a reassurance that the Sustainable Farming Incentive will continue and will do so at the existing funding levels? Farmers in my constituency who receive funding through the sustainable farming incentive are concerned that some of the schemes are becoming over-subscribed and therefore their income is reducing.
I have been clear, throughout the election campaign and since, that we do not intend to overturn the applecart in respect of the old schemes in general, including the SFI. We support the principles behind the schemes and want to see them continue.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide reassurances about existing funding levels for Sustainable Farming Incentive.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
British farmers have been let down by various issues such as trade deals, energy prices, and floods.
Will the Secretary of State outline how he will restore confidence and support British farmers? British farmers have been badly let down by crippling trade deals, skyrocketing energy prices and devastating floods. Will the Secretary of State outline how he will restore confidence and support British farmers?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. There are all sorts of ways in which farmers have felt very let down over the past 14 years, and that has contributed to the tragic situation today in which we have the lowest levels of confidence ever recorded in the farming sector.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not outline specific measures for restoring confidence.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The previous Government underspent the agricultural budget by £130 million in the previous financial year.
Has the Secretary of State had the opportunity yet to work out why there was an underspend of over £100 million in the agricultural budget last year? May I support your thanks to Terry Wiggins, Mr Speaker?
My hon. Friend raises an important point. Opposition Members are asking me today about budget decisions that they know cannot be announced before the Budget, when presumably they are aware—because the statement has been laid—that they underspent the previous budget to the tune of £130 million.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide reasons for the underspend in agricultural budget last year.
Budget Decisions
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Somerset is home to 8,500 farmers and food producers who are worried about the £130 million support being stripped from them.
Notwithstanding the previous comments, will the Secretary of State confirm that he will not be slashing their funding, and give farmers the confidence that they need to be able to invest in the future and secure the nation's food security? Somerset is home to 8,500 farmers and food producers, which is more than any other county in the UK. They are worried that the £130 million of support will be stripped from them because the previous Government replaced the basic payment scheme with systems that were too complicated for many farmers to access.
I am delighted to congratulate those farmers, producers and growers in Somerset. It is a fine county and they do an incredibly good job, of which the hon. Lady is rightly proud.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm or deny slashing funding for Somerset's farmers.
Response accuracy