Rural Businesses: Taxation

Debate between Baroness Neville-Rolfe and Baroness Hayman of Ullock

Monday 7th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I am very aware of the kinds of regulations that the noble Baroness is talking about, which is also why, when I visit Northern Ireland, I always make sure to meet the Ulster Farmers Union, for example, because there are slightly different perspectives and it is important that we understand those differentials. For me, the most important thing is to listen to farmers and not make assumptions about what works and what does not. Tomorrow, for example, I am holding a meeting with farmers specifically on bluetongue, because I want to know what is causing their difficulties most of all, what will actually make the difference and what we need to do so that we do not end up with so many problems next year as well. I am keen to work in a very proactive way to provide the best support we can.

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Con)]

My Lords, every day I become more convinced that it is business not government that creates growth. Farming and family businesses in rural areas are under tremendous pressure from a series of high taxes, including IHT. Will the Minister, or her colleague, the Chancellor, meet US economist Arthur Laffer during his visit this week to discuss how the perverse effect of such high taxation might be minimised and government revenues even increased by cutting taxes?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I think the gentleman that the noble Baroness suggests I meet might be rather disappointed if he met me. I am not sure that I would fully comprehend all the very important points that I am sure he would be making, but I imagine that it would be an opportune moment for him to meet someone from the Treasury.

Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund

Debate between Baroness Neville-Rolfe and Baroness Hayman of Ullock

Monday 27th October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

Clearly, one reason we want to do the EU reset and get an SPS agreement and a better working relationship with the EU is to ensure that we have the best economic growth we can possibly get in this country. However, it is also important that we can work efficiently and effectively with our closest trading partner. The noble Lord has made some very good points about the kind of information that should be available, and I hope that the EU reset will start to reset some of the difficulties that he is referring to.

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Con)]

I must say that I find this conversation surprising. The Government seem to have given 12 years of fishing away in a negotiation without getting any very clear benefits in exchange. Our fishing has been an enormous issue right across the country, so I am slightly surprised by the tone of this conversation. Can the noble Baroness, whose views I always respect, help me on this matter?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I do not see that this Government have “given away”. As I said earlier, we have secured additional funding, in addition to the spending settlement that the UK Government provide to each devolved Government, to provide more support for the fishing industry. I do not remember that the agreements made by the previous Government following Brexit were particularly welcomed by the fishing industry. As part of the reset, we are trying to improve our working relationship with the EU in order to continue to support our farmers, our fishers and our businesses more broadly.

Plastic Pollution

Debate between Baroness Neville-Rolfe and Baroness Hayman of Ullock

Monday 15th September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I can confirm to the noble Lord that I have had exactly those sorts of conversations with some supermarkets. There are certain items that they say they need to wrap in plastic—cucumbers, for example. I am waiting to be convinced as to the need for everything to be wrapped, but I am happy to work with and listen to supermarkets. I was very frustrated the other week when I found a swede wrapped in plastic, which I thought was completely and utterly unnecessary.

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Con)]

My Lords, as someone who campaigned on the need to reduce the use of plastics, I was devastated by the collapse of the treaty negotiations. When does the Minister think they will start again? What are the milestones for that? How can we get this international action finished? That is what is necessary, because this is a pollution problem right around the world.

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I thank the noble Baroness for her support and for continuing to press for this. As she said, it is the thing that will make the biggest difference. As she is aware, the session was adjourned. It was agreed that it would reconvene, but the place and time are yet to be confirmed.