Future of Farming
Debate between Dan Aldridge and Jayne Kirkham(2 weeks, 4 days ago)
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Jayne Kirkham (Truro and Falmouth) (Lab/Co-op)
Does my hon. Friend agree that the best thing the Government can do is give some direction and certainty to farmers with the new land use framework and the new pipeline of sustainable farming incentives, which are upcoming to balance food production, nature recovery and carbon reduction, so that they have the confidence to invest and to return to profit?
Dan Aldridge
As so often, I agree with my hon. Friend and fellow south-west MP. As she has identified, we are trying with the Budget to fix the neglect of the previous Government.
It is important to say that so many of my constituents in Weston-super-Mare are dismayed at the idea that tax relief of up to £3 million is not enough. These are finances outside the concept of the vast majority of my constituents. For people living in a community where we all work together, the rhetoric we are hearing is quite divisive. It is a hard pill to swallow when so many have little to no savings, nor any prospect of owning property to pass on to their children. Many millions of people, including farmers throughout the country, are working harder than ever to pay for the basics that their families need simply to survive. The Government are simply saying that, in any community, those who can pay more should.