MP URGES MINISTER TO NOT CUT FARMER’S PAYMENTS

On the floor of the House of Commons today, South Lakes MP Tim Farron asked the Treasury to commit to keeping basic payments for farmers at their current levels.

Speaking during Treasury questions in parliament Tim asked; "In rural communities, especially in Cumbria, we are deeply concerned about the government's apparent lack of concern about growth in the rural parts of this country.

"In particular, is she aware of the enormous damage being done to farming in the UK - just at the moment when we need our farmers the most - by the reduction in basic payments which started in December when farmers lost between 5 and 25% of their basic payment without any availability of anything to replace it for years to come?

"Will she intervene now to keep basic payments where they are currently so we can keep Britain farming?"

Responding, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Helen Whately said; "I also represent a rural constituency with significant agricultural interests.

"I can assure him that we have protected the agricultural funding through this parliament, and we're committed to levelling up across all parts of the UK in rural as well as urban areas."

Speaking afterwards, Tim said; "The Minister's response was appalling and did not even bother to make reference to our farmers.

"We need our farmers now more than even and yet the Conservatives are throwing them under a bus through cuts to their income and undermining them in trade deals."