Storm Bert: National Preparedness

Lord Taylor of Holbeach Excerpts

Thursday 28th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I do not want to pre-empt the outcomes of the National Planning Policy Framework, but some excellent porous materials are now available, and it is important that the Government encourage their usage where they are appropriate.

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Con)]

I will follow up on the planning issue. One of the places that flooded was the Billing Aquadrome, which was built as a leisure resort and temporary accommodation for people to spend riverside holidays. One of the problems with temporary caravan homes is that they are often built on flood plains. They are used not just for holidays but for permanent residences, because of the housing shortage. Many people there suffered considerable problems. What does the Minister think can be done about these matters?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

It is an important point. I am aware that, when you have serious floods, often caravan parks—I do not know whether that is the right terminology—and the people who live in them get flooded over and over again. There is one near where I live, so I completely understand the noble Lord’s point. I am unsure whether their management will be included in any future planning framework, but I am sure that we will come back to this question as the National Planning Policy Framework moves forward.

Farming Families

Lord Taylor of Holbeach Excerpts

Thursday 21st November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Con)]

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Baroness—my coalition friend—on getting this debate. How topical it is. The industry is in shock; the truth is that nobody expected this, probably including Defra. Farmers are having to cope with lots of other difficulties, in particular the weather. Uncertainty is one thing, but deception is another. I use that word as a third-generation farmer. I do not farm any more, but the business is in the hands of my son and my nephew and I have a grandson reading agriculture at Newcastle at the moment. This is what family businesses are about. The shock is fed by the sense of deception.

At the Lincolnshire Show, during the general election campaign, I challenged the president of the NFU, Tom Bradshaw, about the rumour in the paper. He said, “That’s only Conservative propaganda”. I had no idea, but I expected a better answer or at least an acknowledgement that this might have some bearing on things. On 15 October, I hosted in this House the presentation of the agricultural societies awards. The Secretary of State, Steve Reed, came along and was asked directly whether he believed that inheritance tax alterations were likely; he said that he had no such information and no view that they were likely to occur. I think the anger was based on that deception.

I like and admire the Minister, but what would she say if a progressive farmer asked her advice about investing in a new automated harvesting machine, for example, or whether he should buy the acreage of land up for sale next door? If we want growth in farming—I agree with the Government’s growth agenda—we need progressive farming, investment in farming and farmers prepared to back the Government’s policy.

[Lord Cryer (Lab)]

I apologise for interrupting the debate, but I gently remind all noble Lords that the speaking limit is three minutes. If noble Lords go well over that, we will eat into the time of the Front Benches and the Minister.