Wendy Chamberlain - North East Fife MP - on Universal Credit: "Because of the system change, someone producing our food, cannot afford to eat. This is just not ok"

The Liberal Democrats MP has spoken about the difficulties farming families face in accessing Universal Credit support and why a change in system has left farmers going hungry

Chris Brayford
clock • 6 min read
Wendy Chamberlain, Scottish Liberal Democrats leader, said: "The very nature of farming means that farming income varies significantly through the year or even over multiple years. Frankly, it shows a failure within the Department for Work and Pensions system to understand how farming works at all. To be blunt, without farmers we do not have food, so we must support them and the farming industry in every way we can."
Image:

Wendy Chamberlain, Scottish Liberal Democrats leader, said: "The very nature of farming means that farming income varies significantly through the year or even over multiple years. Frankly, it shows a failure within the Department for Work and Pensions system to understand how farming works at all. To be blunt, without farmers we do not have food, so we must support them and the farming industry in every way we can."

Universal Credit Farmers have faced extreme difficulty with the transition to Universal Credit, which is needed to sustain them during off seasons or less profitable months, sometimes years. The fact...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Farm Business

Conservative Party holds 'emergency' Food and Farming Summit

Conservative Party holds 'emergency' Food and Farming Summit

Attended by party leader Kemi Badenoch, Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins and Shadow Farming Minister Robbie Moore, the summit was held to raise awareness about the current crisis in UK agriculture

clock 18 November 2025 • 3 min read
Letters: "Farming will never be prosperous without radical tax reform"

Letters: "Farming will never be prosperous without radical tax reform"

This week from Farmers Guardian readers: Duncan Pickard, Balmullo, discusses the difficulties of turning a profit in agriculture

clock 18 November 2025 • 3 min read
Farmers wary of further profitability erosion ahead of Autumn Budget

Farmers wary of further profitability erosion ahead of Autumn Budget

Rural business owners will be watching the Chancellor’s Budget on November 26 closely

Alex Black
clock 18 November 2025 • 2 min read