Labour peers in the House of Lords have strongly criticised the government’s draft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) Bill, which proposes slashing farmers’ delinked payments by 76% by 2025, sparking fears over farm viability and environmental goals.
Labour peers in the House of Lords have expressed strong opposition to a draft bill introduced by the government that proposes significant cuts to farm payments. This legislation, officially known as the Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) Bill, aims to reduce farmers’ delinked payments—an essential financial support system that succeeded the pre-Brexit Basic Payment Scheme—by 76% by 2025. Under the new proposals, payouts would be capped at £7,200, a drastic reduction that has raised considerable concern among agricultural stakeholders.
According to statistics provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), approximately 42% of UK farms are currently unprofitable without the support from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). The impending cuts have been framed by the government as a necessary measure to reallocate funds towards environmental initiatives, including Environmental Land Management schemes aimed at promoting sustainable farming practices.
During a recent session in the House of Lords, two Labour peers spoke out vehemently against the proposed reductions. Lord Grantchester criticised the Treasury’s handling of the initiative, claiming it strangles "every good initiative at birth." He emphasised the need to recognise the important role that all farms play in achieving environmental and sustainability targets, arguing that the harsh financial measures could undermine these objectives.
In a separate contribution to the debate, Labour peer Lord Rooker made clear his discontent with the proposed regulations. He stated, “It is only my respect for this House and our procedures that prevents me walking out, because I have not the slightest intention of voting to support these regulations. I will abstain on both amendments. I will not hang around during the votes; I shall go.”
The proposed cuts have sparked a wider conversation about the balance between environmental stewardship and the financial viability of farming operations in the UK. Labour peers are reportedly feeling pressure from within their own ranks regarding this legislation, indicating a division within the party on how best to support farmers while pursuing environmental goals.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the government will address the concerns raised by peers and the potential implications for the agricultural sector in light of these proposed changes.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references recent government proposals and quotes from a recent House of Lords session. There is no evidence it recycles old press releases, but the absence of a precise date limits the score. The information appears current given ongoing policy discussions post-Brexit and references to cuts set for 2025.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
Direct quotes from Labour peers, Lord Grantchester and Lord Rooker, are provided but cannot be found on other major news sites or official Hansard records within the first few pages of Google search results. The quotes appear original, but verification is limited by lack of corroborating sources. If these are exclusive or first-time statements, the narrative scores higher for originality.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from a Google News syndicated source lacking clear provenance to a major, established outlet such as the BBC or Reuters. This reduces certainty about reliability and editorial standards. DEFRA statistics are cited, which are credible, but the overall source is not clearly disclosed.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
Claims about the Agriculture Bill, payment cuts, and DEFRA statistics are plausible and consistent with ongoing UK agricultural policy changes and public debate. The scenario described is highly likely and matches recent developments in UK farming and environmental policy.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative reports credible, plausible policy and parliamentary developments, with original or at least not widely replicated quotes. However, the lack of a clearly identifiable, established news source and the inability to immediately verify quotes mean the overall reliability is uncertain, warranting an 'OPEN' verdict with medium confidence.
