Andy Burnham announced £65 million in funding for drought-affected farmers in England, with most of the money allocated to the sustainable farming incentive and £15 million for on-farm reservoirs. The move comes after pressure from Labour MPs to prioritize climate crisis responses.
The funding addresses the immediate financial strain on farmers due to drought and aims to bolster food security by supporting agricultural resilience and water management infrastructure.
Andy Burnham has announced £65 million in funding to support farmers in England struggling with drought conditions, following pressure from Labour MPs to prioritize climate crisis responses. The funding aims to help farmers manage the immediate impacts of the drought and build resilience for future dry summers.
The majority of the £65 million, £50 million, will be added to the sustainable farming incentive (SFI), increasing its total budget to £290 million. This extra funding is prioritized for areas most affected by the drought. Additionally, £15 million has been allocated for building on-farm reservoirs to secure water supplies for future dry periods.
Farmers will also benefit from simplified arrangements for accessing water from the environment and expedited licensing processes. Burnham emphasized that the ability to grow food is a matter of national security and that farmers should not bear the risks of climate change alone, especially as this is the third drought in five years.
However, campaigners have criticized the £15 million allocated for reservoirs, stating it is reallocated from existing funds and will only cover a fraction of the needed infrastructure. They also noted that the bulk of reservoir construction costs will still fall on farmers who are already facing record expenses and tax burdens.
Burnham also acknowledged the need to accelerate the transition to clean energy and face the realities of a changing climate, referencing a recent Cobra meeting on extreme heat, wildfires, and drought.