MP blasts Gove after refusal to guarantee funding for Cumbrian farmers

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has slammed the Government after they refused to rule out raiding other budgets to fund their Common Agricultural Policy post-Brexit.

Speaking during DEFRA questions, Tim said: "Can the Secretary of State guarantee that not a penny of the £3.8 billion ring-fenced for agriculture in the proposed new scheme will be spent on schemes that are currently funded from non-CAP sources?"

In response, Michael Gove said: "I'll do my very best."

Speaking afterwards, Tim said: "Michael Gove's response was simply pitiful.

"A 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' approach to funding agriculture is not good enough.

"At a time of huge uncertainty for British farmers, the Government should not be looking at cutting the money they give to hill farmers in order to keep up with the money that we received from Europe.

"This is yet another sign of the Government, distracted with infighting, taking it's eye off the ball with Cumbrian farmers made to suffer as a result."