Chancellor Faces Backlash Over Proposed £100 Million Cut to Nature-Friendly Farming Budget

Conservative MPs warn that reducing the Environmental Land Management Scheme funding could jeopardize food security and environmental targets.

The Chancellor is considering a £100 million cut from the Environmental Land Management Scheme (Elms), part of a broader effort to address a £22 billion fiscal deficit.
Conservative MPs, including Claire Coutinho, argue that the budget cut would harm farmers' livelihoods and hinder the UK's nature recovery goals for 2030.
Elms, which replaced the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, incentivizes farmers to adopt practices beneficial to nature, such as improving soil health and air quality.
Labour criticizes the proposed cut, stating it breaks promises to farmers and undermines commitments to environmental protection made in their manifesto.
Nature advocacy groups and several former ministers also oppose the cuts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining or increasing funding for sustainable farming practices.