Tim Farron urges Treasury not to cut farming budget

On the eve of the Labour Government’s first Budget tomorrow, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has pleaded with ministers in the Treasury not to cut the agriculture budget.

Last month, the Farming and Countryside Programme annual report revealed that the previous Conservative Government had underspent the budget by £358m over the past three years.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw called it a “kick in the teeth” to farmers and growers who have faced years of uncertainty and loss of income.

Speaking during Treasury Questions in the House of Commons this afternoon, Tim urged the Government not to make the same mistake. He said: “Given that I assume everybody in this place has eaten at some point today, don't we think that backing Britain's farmers is good use of public money?

“And given that there's a £2.4billion budget for British farming, that the last government underspent foolishly, recklessly and carelessly.

“Will the minister guarantee that at the very least the farm budget would be protected so our farmers can carry on looking after our nature and feeding us?

In response, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said: “Mr Speaker, I actually haven't had breakfast today, so I'm looking forward to lunch and welcome therefore the short question from the honourable member.

“This Government is committed to farming and rural affairs and is committed to the food production that they supply us, which is important for security of supply as well as for my lunch in due course.”