Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain warns the government risks ‘decimating’ rural communities ahead of Spending Review 

Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader and MP for North East Fife has warned the UK Government risks ‘decimating’ rural communities, amidst rumours the nature-friendly farming budget is set to be slashed in the upcoming Spending Review.

North East Fife has a proud farming heritage with 844 farms. 80% of the constituency is classed as rural.

However, many farmers, both in North East Fife and across the country, are struggling after the economic mismanagement of the previous Conservative government, botched trade deals and a cost-of-living crisis. Family farms are also facing the impacts of IHT reforms, and for many small farms, the problems of transfer to Universal Credit.

The Liberal Democrats are now urging the government to protect our rural communities and the environment by ruling out cuts to the farming budget.

Liberal Democrat MP for North East Fife, Wendy Chamberlain said:

“Here in North East Fife we are proud of our farming heritage. We are home to 844 farms, from livestock to arable and everything in between.  Oats, soft fruits – incredible strawberries, - dairy and meat. We have it all.

“Many farmers are barely making ends meet, working for half the minimum wage, yet they still tirelessly maintain our countryside, allowing us all to enjoy its beauty and food produced to the highest standards.

“The government is treating our rural communities with gobsmacking contempt. If the government goes ahead with these cuts, they risk the future of farming in this country and with it, domestic food production and the restoration of nature.

“The government’s utter failure to understand rural communities risks decimating them. At the spending review, these cuts cannot come to pass. The Liberal Democrats in North East Fife and across Scotland will continue to stand up for our farmers.”