Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a Food Production Relief Scheme to provide targeted relief on (a) energy costs and (b) business rates for essential food producers.

This Government has a cast iron commitment to food production. We have committed £5 billion over this year and next to the farming and countryside programme which includes the largest ever amount for sustainable food production. We have also committed to deliver an ambitious food strategy which will set and deliver clear long-term outcomes for a healthier, fairer and more resilient food system.

In regards to business rates, the Government published the ‘Transforming Business Rates’ Discussion Paper at Budget setting out priority areas for reform. This paper invites industry to help co-design a fairer business rates system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century. We are accepting written submissions, which will inform policy development, to the transformingbusinessrates@hmtreasury.gov.uk mailbox until 31 March 2025.