Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Angela Eagle and Rachel Taylor

Thursday 18th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Rachel Taylor (North Warwickshire and Bedworth) (Lab)]

3. What steps she is taking to help ensure that British Sugar agrees the terms of future sugar beet contracts with NFU Sugar.

[The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs (Dame Angela Eagle)]

As I may not get another chance, may I take this opportunity to wish you, and all Members and House staff, a happy Christmas, Mr Speaker?

We are committed to promoting fairness across the food supply chain, including achieving a fair price for sugar beet that benefits both growers and processors. There is a well-established independent process in place to agree the sugar beet price. We continue to keep it and the regulatory framework under review.

[Rachel Taylor]

A merry Christmas to you and all your staff, Mr Speaker.

In the summer I visited Boultbees farm in Baxterley in my constituency, where I met Andrew and his team. Like all farmers who grow sugar beet, they are obliged to sell it to British Sugar, as the sole processor of British sugar beet in the UK. Common market organisation regulation exists to ensure fair negotiations on price, but British Sugar has sought to circumvent it. What are the Government doing to strengthen protections for farmers like Andrew to ensure that they get a fair deal in the combinable crops sector?

[Dame Angela Eagle]

I thank my hon. Friend for her question, which is an acute one. I agree that growers too often bear disproportionate risk, which is why the Government have launched a public consultation on fairness and transparency in the combinable crops supply chain. The consultation is open for eight weeks, and I encourage all interested parties to engage and share their views.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Angela Eagle and Rachel Taylor

Monday 13th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Rachel Taylor (North Warwickshire and Bedworth) (Lab)]

T8. Under the last Government, my constituents had completely lost faith that foreign national offenders with no right to remain in this country would be swiftly removed. I am glad that, since the last election, our new Labour Government have enforced the return of over 2,500 foreign criminals, including serious and violent offenders—a 23% increase since last year. Can the Minister reassure my constituents that this Government will not be taking their foot off the gas and will continue taking strong action?

[The Minister for Border Security and Asylum (Dame Angela Eagle)]

Yes. Foreign nationals who commit offences and are sentenced to 12 months in prison have no right to be here, and I can assure my hon. Friend that we will work tirelessly to ensure that they can be removed. The 23% increase in six months is a good start, but we will not take our foot off the gas.