Oral Answers to Questions

Noah Law Excerpts

Wednesday 18th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

Oil and gas will be part of the mix of our energy for many years to come, as I have set out many times. The hon. Member is now highlighting the consequences of the war that he said we should rush into. He wanted us to go to war. He said it was “perfectly, perfectly clear” that we should support the strikes. Then, just like the Leader of the Opposition, a week later he said, “Oh no, I got that one wrong.” You cannot make mistakes about decisions as serious as committing to war. It is a gross error.

[Noah Law (St Austell and Newquay) (Lab)]

Q13.   Some 95% of the food that we import from non-EU countries has lower welfare standards than that produced by British farmers, costing us millions and putting worse food on our plates. The Labour Rural Research Group will shortly launch our spring push on farming profitability to support British farmers by introducing honest labelling and levelling the playing field for trade and regulation. Will the Prime Minister commit to meeting me and the LRRG to discuss how we can work to back British farmers and improve their profitability?

[The Prime Minister]

I am very happy to discuss that with my hon. Friend. We will always protect high welfare standards, and, through our food and drink deal, we are bringing down barriers for farmers selling to our largest market. Alongside our record £11.8 billion farming budget and investment in cutting-edge innovation, our farming profitability review is focused on boosting profitability. I have already acted and set up the farming and food partnership board, investing £30 million in our farmer collaboration fund.