Lib Dem MP Tim Farron has asked the Treasury to commit to keeping basic payments for farmers at their current levels.

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Speaking during Treasury questions in parliament he asked; "In rural communities, especially in Cumbria, we are deeply concerned about the government's apparent lack of concern about growth in the rural parts of this country.

"In particular, is she aware of the enormous damage being done to farming in the UK - just at the moment when we need our farmers the most - by the reduction in basic payments which started in December when farmers lost between 5 and 25% of their basic payment without any availability of anything to replace it for years to come?

"Will she intervene now to keep basic payments where they are currently so we can keep Britain farming?"

Responding, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Helen Whately said; "I also represent a rural constituency with significant agricultural interests.

"I can assure him that we have protected the agricultural funding through this parliament, and we're committed to levelling up across all parts of the UK in rural as well as urban areas."

Speaking afterwards, Mr Farron said; "The Minister's response was appalling and did not even bother to make reference to our farmers.

"We need our farmers now more than even and yet the Conservatives are throwing them under a bus through cuts to their income and undermining them in trade deals."

“Back British Farmers” party policy

The Lib Dems are also targetting rural heartlands in places like Somerset, Herefordshire and Westmorland – key Lib Dem, Conservative battlegrounds in May.

The party has passed sweeping reform aimed at targeting the farming community that is “fed up with being taken for granted by the Government”.

The push to win the farming community comes after the shock North Shropshire by-election vistory in true blue Shropshire.

The new focus on farmers comes as they become more furious at the Government for their handling of trade deals that undercut British business. The Govt is also phasing out existing farm payments. In December farmers faced a 5% reduction in support payments, with some facing even larger cuts - despite the new system of support payments not being fully rolled out until 2028.

It comes as the National Farmers Union has also launched a scathing attack on the Government calling the Conservatives policies on farming “contradictory”.

Lib Dem Farming Spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:"The Conservatives don’t understand farmers or what they do for our country. Because of this they will see a revolt from farmers up and down the country as they have done nothing but take them for granted and ignore their concerns.

"Farmers have been at the bottom of the pile with this Government constantly overlooked and ignored. This May they have a chance to send a message and shake the Blue Walls rural routes to its core.

"The Liberal Democrats are now the natural party of farmers. We want a fair deal for them. That’s why our conference will see us give a direct pitch to them as people that keep our country going."

Lib Dem North Shropshire Helen Morgan MP said:"Here in Shropshire, farmers are the bedrock of our community. During the by-election they told me that they had been desperately let down by the Conservatives and wanted to send them a message they couldn’t ignore. They sent that message and now this Government is on notice – take farmers for granted at your peril."

Link to the conference motion.