The UK's Premier Agricultural Machinery and Technology Show

20–21 January 2027, NEC, Birmingham

Event Details

EXCLUSIVE - Victoria Atkins: "It seems that the Government has got it in for the countryside"

Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins writes on Labour’s broken promises to farmers, how the Conservatives aim to win back rural communities at the next General Election and why the UK faces a food and farming emergency

clock • 5 min read
Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins said: "The despondency felt in the agricultural sector is because Labour’s policies are making life harder and harder for you: from raising taxes and labour costs to axing the farm payment schemes that form part of your business plans."
Image:

Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins said: "The despondency felt in the agricultural sector is because Labour’s policies are making life harder and harder for you: from raising taxes and labour costs to axing the farm payment schemes that form part of your business plans."

Britain is entering a Food and Farming Emergency. As food prices continue to climb and business investment dries up, record numbers of farms are closing and record numbers of farmers are leaving the sector...

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
Register for free Join Now

 

More on Politics

Former Defra Secretary under fire over working people remark
Politics

Former Defra Secretary under fire over working people remark

The former Defra Secretary and now Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds said employers were not working people and were companies instead

Rachael Brown
Rachael Brown
clock 02 November 2026 • 2 min read
Farmers need more than short term relief, says Labour MP
Politics

Farmers need more than short term relief, says Labour MP

Labour MP for South Norfolk Ben Goldsborough welcomed support in the Budget for rural households, but he said we must go 'further' to make British farming profitable

Rachael Brown
Rachael Brown
clock 30 October 2026 • 2 min read
Defra commits to addressing commons and upland issues
Politics

Defra commits to addressing commons and upland issues

Tenant Farmers Association has urged RPA and Defra to better financially support common and upland farmers who are currently frozen out of new agreements or stuck in existing ones

Rachael Brown
Rachael Brown
clock 29 October 2026 • 1 min read