Rural Businesses: Taxation

Debate between Baroness Kramer and Baroness Hayman of Ullock

Monday 7th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Kramer (LD)]

Even before the summer drought, failures of agricultural businesses had risen by 450% under the pressures of the energy costs that we have just heard described, with higher taxes and subsidy changes also playing a major part. Do the Government recognise that many people will be very concerned that today’s announcements by the Chancellor had so little focus on action in the rural UK? Will the Government now put themselves behind the proposed good food Bill that is being demanded by the industry to support domestic producers and provide us with greater food security?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

In Defra we have been working an enormous amount with farmers and other relevant stakeholders around food security. That includes biosecurity. It looks at how farmers can be supported through veterinary services and how we manage drought and climate change going forward. It is about not just drought but flooding. We have potential heavy rainfalls coming this winter. If we are to continue to support good, sustainable food production in this country, it is important that we work cross-departmentally, including with the Treasury, to ensure that we have the best possible support for farmers.