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Essex farmers say Budget has left them abandoned

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 14:07 · Archive

Essex farmers say the Autumn Budget failed to provide the support they need as soaring costs threaten their businesses.

Essex farmers say they feel abandoned after the Autumn Budget failed to deliver the lifeline they had hoped for. Farming leaders have accused the government of missing a major opportunity to protect family farms and give cash-strapped businesses the 'breathing space' they need to continue producing food.

According to the National Farmers' Union, Essex farmers are facing enormous financial pressure following drought conditions combined with steep fuel and fertiliser bills. Fuel prices are now around 65 per cent higher than a year ago, meaning the Budget's extension of red diesel relief will provide only limited help with the industry's cashflow problems.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw, who farms near Colchester, said the government had failed to act on promises made over the summer. 'This was an opportunity for government to act on the warm words it made over the summer. It has failed to act and has left farmers and growers feeling abandoned,' he said. He accused ministers of failing to connect the price consumers pay for food with the need to support British food production, saying the government had missed an opportunity to deliver on its commitment that 'food security is national security'.

Essex farmers say Budget has left them abandoned
Image: Colchester Gazette

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How it is being reported

In this story: Tom Bradshaw · National Farmers' Union · Essex · Colchester · Office for Budget Responsibility

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log