New data released by the Labour Party shows that rural Sefton is projected to lose £40,611.50 this year alone, pushing family farms to the brink of closure as a result of the Government’s rushed withdrawal of the Basic Payments Scheme for farmers.
The party’s analysis, based on figures from the Rural Payments Agency, lays bare just how big a hit the rural economy overall stands to take from what Labour say is the Government’s ‘reckless approach’ to the scheme.
Labour supports the principle of reforming farm payments, but has spoken out about the Government’s reckless approach which is leading to a cliff edge, with 76% of farmers nationally saying the new payments won’t be enough.
Bill Esterson, MP for Sefton Central, commented:
“Farm payments need reform, but it’s shocking that farmers and rural businesses in Sefton stand to lose over £40,000 this year alone as a result of this Government’s reckless cuts.
“The Government needs to get a grip on this, review it, and provide the security that rural voters in Sefton need as we recover and rebuild.
“Labour’s Rural England Policy Review is seeking views from voters in Sefton as we work to ensure that our next manifesto provides as much hope and opportunity to rural communities as it does to those living in towns and cities.”
The past decade of Tory rule has weakened the foundations of rural communities, with funding for transport and health services cut and community hubs such as village shops, post offices and pubs allowed to close.
Labour has joined the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) in calling for an urgent review of this policy.
The Review will seek evidence on all of this and more, setting out Labour’s ambition to become the natural home for rural voters once more.
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