Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide crisis loans to the farming community severely impacted by the drought this summer.

This Government has acted to support farmers affected by drought with a package of support measures: https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2026/08/15/new-drought-support-for-farmers/ (see attached).

This Government also supports access to finance for smaller businesses through the British Business Bank's Growth Guarantee Scheme, which many farm businesses are eligible to access.

This Government will continue to monitor the situation closely, working with stakeholders across farming, water and biosecurity to consider pressures and emerging risks on businesses and domestic food production.