Sustainable Farming Incentive - Statement

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 7:57 pm on 18 March 2025.

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Photo of Lord Carrington Lord Carrington Lord Great Chamberlain 7:57, 18 March 2025

My Lords, I declare my farming interests are set out in the register and that I am likely to be affected by the withdrawal of SFI 24. I want to just probe a little further on the two questions that were asked by the noble Lord, Lord Cromwell, and the noble Earl, Lord Leicester. The Government claim that the promised six-week warning of closure was not given due to the potential spike in applications causing budget overspend. Surely, Defra has been monitoring this spending versus budget and advising Ministers accordingly. Please can the Minister confirm that she is satisfied with the efficacy of the Defra review process and, if so, why the Government did not take early action to avoid this serial blow to farming and the environment?