Written questions by Snowden.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 50256 on Farms: Lancashire, what the start date of the new Higher Tier scheme will be; and how farmers can apply.

Defra will open the rolling application window for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) later in the year. Currently, CSHT is by invitation only following contact by Natural England or the Forestry Commission. This ensures that bespoke pre-application advice is provided to support those invited. We have published information that sets out what you can do now to prepare to apply for CSHT on GOV.UK. (Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier: preview guidance - GOV.UK).

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 50256 on Farms: Lancashire, what measures his Department plans to introduce in the next phase of the Landscape Recovery programme; and how these measures will support farmers in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire.

As a core element of the Environmental Land Management schemes, Landscape Recovery is uniquely placed to provide large-scale, long-term benefits for nature, delivering improvements to biodiversity, carbon emissions, water quality, air quality, flood resilience and food security.We have been gathering feedback and evaluating how the Landscape Recovery scheme is working, including from those projects in development near to and within the Fylde and Lancashire areas – namely the Brock & Calder Landscape Recovery Project and The West Pennines More Nature Partnership.Landscape Recovery projects that were awarded funding in rounds one and two are continuing, and projects in the first round are moving into the delivery phase.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many farmers are (a) enrolled in the Higher Level Stewardship scheme and (b) expected to receive an uplift in payments from January 2025 in (i) Lancashire and (ii) Fylde constituency.

I can confirm that there are 164 live Higher Level Stewardship-related agreements that fall within the Lancashire County that should receive an uplift. This figure is spread across 16 constituencies in Lancashire and includes constituencies (Morecambe and Lunesdale & Southport) that are spread across county lines. None fall within the Fylde constituency.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 50256 on Farms: Lancashire, what steps he plans to take to ensure that British produce is prioritised in catering contracts; and whether this will include steps to support local farms in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire.

The national procurement policy statement sets out requirements for Government contracts, including food, and favouring high-quality products that we believe British producers, including those in Fylde, and Lancashire more broadly, are well-placed to supply. This will aid our ambition for half of food supplied into public sector catering to be from local producers or those certified to higher environmental standards.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will commission research on the effectiveness of the Farmer Welfare Grant (a) overall and (b) in improving mental health outcomes for farmers.

Defra routinely assesses the effectiveness of all grants and funds it finances. Recipients of the Farmer Welfare Grant are required to submit interim reports in line with their funding agreements, as well as final reports upon completion of the grant. Defra undertakes a range of in-house evaluation and is researching the overall effectiveness of this grant by reviewing recipient’s interim reports. We use a range of mechanisms, including feedback from farming welfare charities, to monitor the mental health outcomes of farming communities.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to consult with (a) farmers and (b) agricultural stakeholders from Fylde constituency in advance of the implementation of the new Higher Level Stewardship payment rates.

There are no live Higher Level Stewardship (HLS agreements in the Fylde constituency. HLS payment rates have stayed the same for more than 10 years. In that time, they have fallen behind the rates offered through other schemes, including Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) and the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). On that basis we have taken the opportunity to reduce the difference by investing £30 million to increase payment rates so farmers in HLS agreements can continue to restore habitats, support rare species, preserve historic features and maintain traditional landscape features in our iconic countryside. We consulted with national stakeholders including the NFU, CLA and TFA in advance of making these changes.

Food and Rural Affairs, what criteria were used to select the four charities providing health and wellbeing support under the Farmer Welfare Grant; and whether he plans to increase (a) the number of charities and (b) the geographic coverage.

Applicants for the Farmer Welfare Grant in 2024 were required to submit their proposals following a set pro-forma. Each applicant had to demonstrate the project’s suitability and feasibility, outline the key beneficiaries and outputs, explain their approach to monitoring and evaluation, outline their costs, and explain the projects’ value for money. Grant recipients operate in Lincolnshire (Lincolnshire Rural Support Network), and across Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, and Yorkshire (The Farmer Network, Field Nurse, UTASS, and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society). We will be evaluating the existing Welfare Grant.

Food and Rural Affairs, what his policy is on long-term strategies for mental health support in agriculture beyond the period that funding has been allocated for current policies.

The physical and mental wellbeing of farmers, farm workers and their families underpins our food system and food security. We will work to improve mental and physical health outcomes for the agricultural community to ensure Defra’s wider strategic plans for the farming sector are deliverable and sustainable.Defra’s is working in consultation with communities, farming support organisations and experts across government with the aim of improving mental and physical health outcomes for the agricultural community. Delivery of mental health interventions sits with the Department for Health and Social Care, who are investing in mental health to ensure it receives the same attention as physical health. This includes the hiring of 8,500 new mental health support workers, which will reduce delays and provide faster treatment closer to people’s homes – including in rural communities. The Government is also building a national network of Young Futures hubs, which will be present in every community and will deliver support for young people facing mental health challenges.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support farmers to transition to sustainable agricultural practices through the Environmental Land Management schemes in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

At February’s NFU Conference, the Secretary of State announced a raft of new policies to put money in the pockets of farmers in Fylde, Lancashire, and across the country. We remain committed to investing £5 billion of funding in the farming budget over two years and are on track to do so. We will be working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future SFI offer that fairly and responsibly directs funding. Further details about the reformed SFI offer will be announced following the spending review in summer 2025. We plan to launch the new Higher Tier scheme later this year; Capital Grants will re-open in summer 2025; we continue to move forward with Landscape Recovery; we are increasing payment rates for Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement holders to recognise their ongoing commitment to delivering environmental outcome; and we are making £110 million available for new grant competitions to support research and innovation, technology and equipment for farmers.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) flood resilience and (b) coastal erosion defences along the Fylde coast.

The Environment Agency regularly provides information to community emergency response and flood action groups within Fylde. Coastal communities have been identified as a priority and are included in the Environment Agency’s engagement planning strategy. The Shoreline Management plans set out a planned approach to manage the flood and coastal erosion risk. The Environment Agency is working with partners on the ‘Our Future Coast’ project to design and test new approaches to coastal flood risk management. The Fylde coast is currently protected by several coastal flood defences from Blackpool to Warton. The Environment Agency is working with the Local Authorities to identify funding streams and opportunities for future schemes along this coastline to further enhance existing defences. An example of this includes the Fylde Sand Dune project.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent funding he has provided to local authorities in Fylde constituency to help tackle (a) water pollution and (b) storm overflows into the Ribble Estuary.

Water and sewerage companies are responsible for the maintenance of storm overflows and other assets. The Water (Special Measures) Act will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry and the Independent Water Commission will make recommendations to shape and transform how our water system works and clean up our waterways for good. As part of Price Review 2024 (PR24), which runs from 2025 to 2030, Ofwat are allowing United Utilities £2.5 billion to reduce the use of storm overflows by at least 33%. During this period, UU will be improving eight storm overflows in the Fylde constituency to reduce how often they discharge, in order to improve both river and coastal water quality. Monitoring investigations are being undertaken in the Ribble catchment to inform future actions to improve bathing water quality at designated bathing waters on the River Ribble and Fylde coast, including St Annes.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to consult businesses affected by the extended producer responsibility scheme.

We consulted on the principles, objectives, and proposals for extended producer responsibility in 2019 and 2021, and these received high levels of support. We then consulted on the draft regulations in 2023. To ensure producers are prepared for the implementation EPR we engage widely though our monthly Business Readiness Forum, alongside events on specific topics and our regular newsletter goes to over 11,000 subscribers which contains updates and information on the requirement of the scheme. We also work with the Environment Agency and their programme of work which further supports business. This has included extensive engagement on pEPR disposal fees and the Recyclability Assessment Model. We are also actively listening to the sectors concerns and have recently announced further engagement with the sector to improve specific aspects of the scheme such, such as dual use packaging, the packaging recycling note system, and driving increased efficiency and effectiveness in local authority delivery.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to change the level of funding for farms in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire.

At February’s NFU Conference, the Secretary of State announced a raft of new policies that will put money in the pockets of farmers in Fylde, Lancashire, and across the country. We remain committed to investing £5 billion of funding in the farming budget over two years, and are on track to do so. We will be working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer that fairly and responsibly directs funding. Further details about the reformed SFI offer will be announced following the spending review in summer 2025. We plan to launch the new Higher Tier scheme later this year; Capital Grants will re-open in summer 2025; we continue to move forward with Landscape Recovery; we are increasing payment rates for Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement holders to recognise their ongoing commitment to delivering environmental outcome; and we are making £110 million available for new grant competitions to support research and innovation, technology and equipment for farmers. We are investing £208 million in biosecurity protections and extending the Seasonal Worker visa route for five more years. We are backing British produce in Government catering contracts and ensuring fair competition across the supply chain through contractual reform.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to support the resilience of family farms in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire.

At February’s NFU Conference, the Secretary of State announced a raft of new policies to put money in farmers pockets and make them more resilient. We are making £110 million available for new grant competitions to support research and innovation, technology and equipment for farmers. We are investing £208 million in biosecurity protections and extending the Seasonal Worker visa route for five more years. We are backing British produce in government catering contracts and ensuring fair competition across the supply chain through contractual reform. We are making good progress in appointing a Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector to help embed fair practice across the sector and expect to be able to make an announcement on this shortly. And Baroness Minette Batters has been appointed as a reviewer for the Farming Profitability Review, to understand the barriers farmers face to increasing profitability.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to revise guidance issued to producers on obligations under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme.

The pEPR Scheme Administrator, working with the relevant UK regulator, will revise producer guidance, where appropriate, to assist them in understanding and meeting their obligations under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on farmers’ mental health in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

This Government is committed to supporting the mental health of those working in farming and agriculture. The Government continue to fund the Farmer Welfare Grant. This currently funds four charities to deliver projects which support mental health and build resilience in local farming communities. One consortium of charities, led by the Farmer Network, operates in Lancashire. Their ‘Keep Farming Stronger for Longer’ campaign is delivering workshops, training, events, networking, 1:1 advice and the provision of additional Field Nurse services in the region. Furthermore, the Government is paying out £60m through the Farming Recovery Fund to support farmers affected by this unprecedented extreme wet weather. Finally, the Government announced in their 2024 manifesto 8,500 new mental health support workers. This will give mental health the same attention and focus as physical health, reduce delays and provide faster treatment closer to people’s homes.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the number of farmers who will be affected by changes to (a) agricultural property relief and (b) business property relief in (i) Fylde constituency and (ii) Lancashire.

Assessing the impact of the new Inheritance Tax policy, which comes into force from 6 April 2026, relies on a number of factors such as ownership structure and debt levels. Without such information, which the Government does not hold at that level, area level assessments cannot be made. This Government is aware that each farm is different, and so we encourage farmers to speak to their tax advisors and agents to understand how these changes may impact their specific situation and how to plan for the future. As an outcome of the October 2024 Spending Review, we have committed £5 billion in the agricultural budget over the next two years – the biggest ever budget for sustainable food production and nature recovery in this country’s history. This enables us to keep momentum on the path to a more resilient and sustainable farming sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to encourage people to buy Lancashire produce.

As we set out in our Plan for Change, we are focused on supporting our farmers, supporting rural economic growth and boosting Britain’s food security. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed, has confirmed to businesses and industry groups from across the food sector that work is underway to develop an ambitious new food strategy. The strategy will set the food system up for long-term success and will deliver wide ranging improvements. This will set it up for success in ensuring it is able to feed the nation, can realise its potential for economic growth, protect the planet, and nourish individuals. Defra officials regularly engage with stakeholders across the food supply chain to understand their work to promote British produce in-store and online. We strongly support efforts to promote British food and back our farmers, who produce some of the best food in the world. This is why the food strategy will set the food system up for long-term success and ensure that our food system can feed the nation, realise its potential for economic growth, protect the planet, and nourish individuals, now and in the future. The UK has a wide range of incredible regional food and drink products, including from Lancashire, like Beacon Fell Traditional Lancashire Cheese which is a protected designation of origin. I strongly encourage anyone to seek out and enjoy their own local produce and the great things that other regions have to offer, too.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to reduce fly-tipping in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

Local authorities are often best placed to respond to incidences of fly-tipping. They have a range of enforcement powers which we encourage them to make good use of. We are seeking powers in the Crime and Policing Bill to provide enforcement guidance, which councils would legally need to have regard to. In our manifesto we committed to forcing fly-tippers and vandals to clean up the mess that they have created. We will provide further details on this commitment in due course. In the meantime, Defra will continue to chair the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group through which we work with a wide range of stakeholders, such as local authorities, to promote good practice on tackling fly-tipping.  Various practical tools, including ‘how to’ guides covering key issues, are also available from their webpage at: https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/national-fly-tipping-prevention-group.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of infrastructure developments on agricultural land in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire.

The Government does not comment on individual projects which have yet to be consented via the independent planning process. The Government has launched a consultation on land use in England which will inform the publication of the Land Use Framework this year. The framework will set out how the Government will protect land with the greatest long-term potential for food production, while delivering on the need for new infrastructure which will bring forward green growth, good jobs and investment across the country. The Land Use Framework and the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan are being designed alongside each other to work cohesively together and with other sectoral plans.