Motion text
That this House recognises with deep concern the Chancellor’s 2025 Spending Review decision to cut the DEFRA budget in real terms by 2.3% annually, with a real terms cut to the farming budget of around £100 million; understands budget cuts will have potentially devastating consequences for the environment, the rural economy, farming communities and food security whilst creating uncertainty for the funding of regulatory bodies such as Natural England and the Environment Agency; notes that this cut comes at a time of great uncertainty for farming businesses after the botched transition, bungled trade deals and budget underspend overseen by the Conservatives in government; further notes the risks to farming businesses caused by the Government's changes to inheritance tax, the accelerated phase out of the basic payments scheme and the sudden closure of sustainable farming incentive applications; calls on the Government to confirm what impact DEFRA budget cuts will have on the rural economy, food security and climate and nature goals; further calls on the Government to clarify which schemes will be funded by the £400 million allocated for nature and the £300 million unallocated under the farming budget; and urges the Government to properly fund profitable, sustainable and nature-friendly farming with an extra £1 billion a year for Environmental Land Management Schemes to make sure our farmers can continue to feed the nation and protect and enhance our natural environment.
Signatures (34)
The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.
Farron, Tim
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
13 May 2026
Morgan, Helen
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
14 May 2026
George, Andrew
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
14 May 2026
Roome, Ian
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
14 May 2026
Chamberlain, Wendy
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
14 May 2026
Hobhouse, Wera
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
14 May 2026
In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.
Thomas, Cameron
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
14 May 2026
Brewer, Alex
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
14 May 2026
Pinkerton, Dr Al
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
14 May 2026
Brown-Fuller, Jess
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
14 May 2026
Dance, Adam
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
14 May 2026
Reynolds, Mr Joshua
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
14 May 2026
Miller, Calum
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
14 May 2026
Jones, Clive
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
14 May 2026
Forster, Mr Will
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
18 May 2026
Chowns, Dr Ellie
Green Party
Signed on
18 May 2026
Aquarone, Steff
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 May 2026
Savage, Dr Roz
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 May 2026
Shannon, Jim
Democratic Unionist Party
Signed on
15 May 2026
Dyke, Sarah
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
18 May 2026
van Mierlo, Freddie
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
18 May 2026
Gordon, Tom
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
18 May 2026
Mathew, Brian
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
18 May 2026
MacCleary, James
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
18 May 2026
MacDonald, Mr Angus
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
18 May 2026
Maguire, Ben
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
19 May 2026
Dillon, Mr Lee
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
19 May 2026
Chadwick, David
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
19 May 2026
Jardine, Christine
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
20 May 2026
Amos, Gideon
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
21 May 2026
Maguire, Helen
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
1 June 2026
Berry, Siân
Green Party
Signed on
2 June 2026
Foord, Richard
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
3 June 2026
Stone, Jamie
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
22 June 2026
There are no withdrawn signatures for this motion.