Farmers need more than short term relief; they need a long-term plan that rewards food production, supports investment and gives farming families confidence to pass their businesses on to the next generation.
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That was the message from Labour MP for South Norfolk, Ben Goldsborough following the Chancellor's Budget earlier this week.
While Mr Goldsborough welcomed support in the Budget for rural households, he said the Government must go 'further' to make British farming profitable.
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He said: "There is welcome support in this Budget for rural households, with eligible households in England set to receive £100 towards their energy bills from January 2027. Extending the cut in VAT on domestic electricity will also help families with the cost of living. These measures offer some breathing space at a difficult time.
'Must go much further'
"For farming businesses, extending red diesel duty relief and suspending fertiliser import tariffs are positive steps to ease input costs. But we must go much further to make British farming profitable."
Mr Goldsborough has called for a 'simpler, fairer grants system' which would help farmers invest and grow, alongside a Farm Deposit Scheme.
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He said this scheme would allow businesses to set aside profits in good years with tax relief, then withdraw those savings in difficult years to help manage volatile prices, rising costs and unpredictable incomes.
Mr Goldsborough added: "Our farmers are vital to food security, the rural economy and our countryside. They need more than short term relief; they need a long-term plan that rewards food production, supports investment and gives farming families confidence to pass their businesses on to the next generation.
He said he would continue to press for 'practical reforms' that 'puts farm profitability at the heart of agricultural policy'.
Labour Rural Research Group
The Labour Rural Research Group (LRRG), which Mr Goldsborough sits on alongside other rural Labour MPs released a statement following the Budget outlining its thoughts.
Within the statement the LRRG said short-term interventions on red diesel and fertiliser tariffs were welcomed, alongside the removal of gas standing charges in principle, and the range of tariffs being removed on food products.
But it said: "We must do more to support domestic industry, however, and will push the Government to go further on honest labelling and public sector procurement of British foods."
Farm profitability
The group said it would be pushing for more 'direct support for farmers' who face significant pressures on their operating costs and profitability, including 'flexibility on capital investments in water and climate resilience'.
In its statement the LRRG stressed it would continue to work 'constructively' with Government to put rural communities at the heart of the country's economic ambitions and the Government's 10-Year Plan, to ensure that 'farmers, rural businesses and families have the support they need to thrive'.
