Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Ian Byrne and Emma Hardy

Thursday 19th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Emma Hardy]

The right hon. Gentleman raises an important point. Quite often, we find that flooding farmland is used to protect villages and rural communities. I have been thinking about the best way to take this issue forward, after meeting a farmer when I went to Somerset, and seeing the extensive flooding right across his land. We have put £91 million into internal drainage boards, which is the most money that has ever gone into trying to support farmers in draining agricultural land. I am actively considering this issue, and am having conversations about it at the moment.

[Ian Byrne (Liverpool West Derby) (Lab)]

8. What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory right to food.