Defra defends £400m agricultural budget underspend

NFU welcomes news of this year's extra funding but says Government should 'maximise' its support for farmers

clock • 2 min read
Secretary of State Steve Barclay said the previous two years of underspend will be added to this year's allocation
Image:

Secretary of State Steve Barclay said the previous two years of underspend will be added to this year's allocation

Defra has defended its two-year £400 million agricultural underspend, insisting it did not represent a lack of commitment to the farming industry. Secretary of State for Defra Steve Barclay last week...

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

New NFU Cymru president and deputy president elected
Politics

New NFU Cymru president and deputy president elected

Cardiff dairy farmer Abi Reader has been unanimously elected as the new president of NFU Cymru, with livestock farmer Paul Williams to be deputy

Jane Thynne
clock 20 January 2026 • 3 min read
Welsh Tories oust farming MS over Reform defection links
Politics

Welsh Tories oust farming MS over Reform defection links

Could former Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary and farmer James Evans be about to join Reform?

Chris Brayford
Chris Brayford
clock 20 January 2026 • 2 min read
Debate secured to stop 'rural antagonising' shotgun licence merger
Politics

Debate secured to stop 'rural antagonising' shotgun licence merger

Shotgun ownership is an essential tool of work within rural and land-based industries, but has the Government taken a 'one-sided view' which will pose a risk to farmers' livelihoods?

Chris Brayford
Chris Brayford
clock 20 January 2026 • 4 min read