Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to ensure the farming budget is used to meet legally-binding (a) environmental targets under the Environment Act 2021 and (b) emissions reduction targets under the Climate Change Act 2008.

As a result of the spending review and determination of the farming budget for this period:

• We are prioritising investment that supports the Government’s Plan for Change and builds on the Secretary of State’s work to reform Defra to drive growth while maintaining a steadfast commitment to farming, food security, and nature’s recovery

• We are investing more than £2.7 billion a year in farming and nature recovery.

• Funding for the Environmental Land Management Schemes paid to farmers will increase by 150% from £800 million in 2023/24 to £2 billion by 2028/29.

• Overall farmers and land managers will benefit from an average of £2.3 billion a year through the Farming and Countryside Programme.

• And up to £400 million from additional nature schemes, including those for tree planting and peatland restoration.

• This budget is the largest investment into nature in history, with over £7 billion directed into nature’s recovery.

• This includes environmental farming schemes (£5.9 billion), tree planting (£816 million) and peatland restoration (£385 million). These will make a significant contribution to the Environment Act and emissions reduction targets under the Climate Change Act 2008, including improving the quality of water, air, and spaces for wildlife so biodiversity can thrive.