PM tells farming conference Government is ‘by their side’
Rishi Sunak has pledged that he will “never take our food security for granted” as he outlined support for farmers in a speech to the sector. Speaking to the National Farmers’ Union conference, the prime minister said the Government is “be by their side” as farming goes through its biggest change in a generation. Mr Sunak also highlighted £427 million in grants, including a doubling of the amount going to technology and innovation schemes to £220 million to support farmers. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Transcript
00:00 Farming is going through its biggest change in a generation.
00:04 And as you do so, this government will be by your side.
00:08 You've been dealing with soaring global prices in things like fuel and fertiliser.
00:13 So we've been working hard to get inflation down from 11% to 4% now.
00:18 And we're increasing payments in our farming schemes by an average of 10%.
00:23 We promised that across this parliament every penny of the £2.4 billion annual farming budget would be spent on you.
00:32 And we will absolutely meet that promise.
00:35 We're also launching the biggest ever package of grants this year to boost productivity and resilience, which will total £220 million.
00:44 Increasing the improving farming productivity scheme to invest in things like robotics and barn top solar.
00:51 We're opening a new round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund too, worth £70 million.
00:57 You can trust us, because I know how important my neighbours, our farmers, all of you truly are.
01:05 You help support millions of jobs, add billions to our economy, shape the landscape.
01:11 But most of all, you produce the food we need.
01:15 Food that is some of the best and highest quality anywhere in the world.
01:21 And that's why I say to all of you and to Britain's farmers, just as I did in my very first speech in parliament, I've got your back.