Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

British Food Producers

Thursday 12 September 2024 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sarah Bool raised concerns about media reports suggesting a 100 million cut to the farming budget and its impact on local producers in South Northamptonshire.
  • The Minister stated that decisions involving the Budget are part of the spending review process and will be addressed at that time.
  • Steve Barclay questioned the Minister about ruling out cuts to the farming budget, citing media reports of a 100 million cut.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Bool Con South Northamptonshire
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question arises from concerns about British food producers and the potential impact of government policies on their economic stability and growth.

Question

What steps he is taking to support British food producers. I am concerned about media reports suggesting a £100 million cut to the farming budget, which would negatively affect local producers in South Northamptonshire such as those at Stowe Heights farm and Barnowl farm.

Answer from Emma Hardy

Our farming Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Daniel Zeichner), has done an incredible job visiting farmers across the country. As I am sure the hon. Lady will understand, anything involving the Budget is part of the spending review process and answers will be given in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Confirmation that there will be no reduction in support for British food producers or specific commitment to maintain the farming budget without cuts.

How: As I Am Sure The Hon. Lady Will Understand, Anything Involving The Budget Is Part Of The Spending Review Process And Answers Will Be Given In Due Course.

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Q1 Sarah Bool Con South Northamptonshire
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question arises from concerns about British food producers and the potential impact of government policies on their economic stability and growth.

Question

What steps he is taking to support British food producers. I am concerned about media reports suggesting a £100 million cut to the farming budget, which would negatively affect local producers in South Northamptonshire such as those at Stowe Heights farm and Barnowl farm.

Answer from Emma Hardy

Our farming Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Daniel Zeichner), has done an incredible job visiting farmers across the country. As I am sure the hon. Lady will understand, anything involving the Budget is part of the spending review process and answers will be given in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Confirmation that there will be no reduction in support for British food producers or specific commitment to maintain the farming budget without cuts.

How: As I Am Sure The Hon. Lady Will Understand, Anything Involving The Budget Is Part Of The Spending Review Process And Answers Will Be Given In Due Course.

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Q2 Sarah Bool Con South Northamptonshire
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Media reports suggest that there might be a £100 million cut to the farming budget, which has raised concerns among farmers in South Northamptonshire about their financial stability.

Question

Can the Minister confirm that the farming budget will not be cut by £100 million and that support for local producers will continue? I have met with farmers at Stowe Heights farm and Barnowl farm who are worried about these reports.

Answer from Emma Hardy

As I am sure the hon. Lady will understand, anything involving the Budget is part of the spending review process and answers will be given in due course.

Not addressed: Confirmation on whether there will be no reduction in the farming budget or cuts to support for British food producers.

How: As I Am Sure The Hon. Lady Will Understand, Anything Involving The Budget Is Part Of The Spending Review Process And Answers Will Be Given In Due Course.

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Q2 Sarah Bool Con South Northamptonshire
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Media reports suggest that there might be a £100 million cut to the farming budget, which has raised concerns among farmers in South Northamptonshire about their financial stability.

Question

Can the Minister confirm that the farming budget will not be cut by £100 million and that support for local producers will continue? I have met with farmers at Stowe Heights farm and Barnowl farm who are worried about these reports.

Answer from Emma Hardy

As I am sure the hon. Lady will understand, anything involving the Budget is part of the spending review process and answers will be given in due course.

Not addressed: Confirmation on whether there will be no reduction in the farming budget or cuts to support for British food producers.

How: As I Am Sure The Hon. Lady Will Understand, Anything Involving The Budget Is Part Of The Spending Review Process And Answers Will Be Given In Due Course.

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Q3 Steve Barclay Con North East Cambridgeshire
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

There are media reports suggesting that the Chancellor has decided to cut the farming budget by £100 million, which would impact farmers' ability to plan their business and maintain confidence in government support.

Question

Will the Minister rule out cuts to the farming budget? Farmers are watching these questions and need clarity on whether the budget will be maintained. Media reports suggest a decision has been made to cut the budget by £100 million, prioritising trade union paymasters over farmers.

Answer from Emma Hardy

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think the right hon. Gentleman will find that it was the previous Government—who underspent the farming budget despite their promises—who broke a manifesto promise. Decisions about the Budget are made as part of the spending review.

Not addressed: Confirmation on whether there will be no reduction in the farming budget or cuts to support for British food producers.

How: It Was The Previous Government Who Underspent The Farming Budget Despite Their Promises, Breaking A Manifesto Promise.

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Q3 Steve Barclay Con North East Cambridgeshire
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

There are media reports suggesting that the Chancellor has decided to cut the farming budget by £100 million, which would impact farmers' ability to plan their business and maintain confidence in government support.

Question

Will the Minister rule out cuts to the farming budget? Farmers are watching these questions and need clarity on whether the budget will be maintained. Media reports suggest a decision has been made to cut the budget by £100 million, prioritising trade union paymasters over farmers.

Answer from Emma Hardy

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think the right hon. Gentleman will find that it was the previous Government—who underspent the farming budget despite their promises—who broke a manifesto promise. Decisions about the Budget are made as part of the spending review.

Not addressed: Confirmation on whether there will be no reduction in the farming budget or cuts to support for British food producers.

How: It Was The Previous Government Who Underspent The Farming Budget Despite Their Promises, Breaking A Manifesto Promise.

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