(5 years, 7 months ago)
Commons ChamberOther European countries are looking enviously at the United Kingdom Government and piteously at the Scottish Government, whose contortions on constitutional questions continue to lead other European statesmen to wonder why a great country with so many talented people is in the hands of such a parcel of rogues.
In light of Dieter Helm’s recent comments, how much weight does the Secretary of State give to food security in developing future farming policy?
I have enormous respect for Professor Helm, but food security is absolutely central to my Department’s and this Government’s mission.
(13 years, 1 month ago)
Commons ChamberT8. I am sure that the Education team will be delighted to hear that the highly acclaimed Manor Church of England school in my constituency has experienced a smooth transition to academy status. Now, however, it is moving into its second year as an academy, and it has raised concerns about the delayed allocation of its annual budget. Is the Secretary of State aware of these issues, and will he be addressing them before the next round of budget allocations?
I am very aware of these issues, and that is one of the reasons we are consulting on replacing the system of funding that we inherited from the previous Government.