On 27th October during environment questions, the Rt. Hon. Richard Benyon MP, Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs praised local rural businesses, particularly Halfpenny Green vineyard. This came in response to a question put to him by Gavin Williamson MP for South Staffordshire.
Speaking in the Chamber Gavin Williamson posed to the Rt. Hon. Richard Benyon MP:
‘What steps he is taking to support rural businesses in Staffordshire’
The Rt. Hon. Richard Benyon MP responded with:
‘A £165 million package of measures to support rural economic growth is being rolled out across England. Of that, £100 million of rural development funding is targeted at improving rural businesses, with 38 projects in Staffordshire already receiving funding under the farming and forestry improvement scheme and seven projects being actively considered for rural economy grants. Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent local broadband plan has also been allocated £7.44 million from the Government’s £530 million rural programme.’
To which Gavin Williamson MP for South Staffordshire, said:
‘Halfpenny Green vineyard in my constituency has over the past 30 years been producing some of the finest quality English wines. It has become an important local employer and is a perfect example of the importance of farm diversification. Indeed, Mr Speaker, the wine is so good that I am sure I would even be able to provide you with a bottle—if I was able to get called earlier in statements. [ Interruption. ] Maybe even two bottles. Can my right hon. Friend explain what steps he is taking to encourage rural diversification for farmers?
Mr Speaker intervened and said:
‘The hon. Gentleman may wish to develop his thoughts at greater length in an Adjournment debate.’
The Rt. Hon. Richard Benyon’s concluding words said:
‘I am only mildly piqued that I have not been offered a bribe. I can assure my hon. Friend that this Government are serious about offering encouragement. For years, Ministers have been telling the farming community that it has to diversify its business, but then, in other directions, they have been putting up barriers to that. We are doing that work with highly focused grants, such as the ones I have described. We are also providing broadband, which is a key deliverer, and support across a range of other measures to ensure that businesses precisely such as the one that my hon. Friend describes can function and are economically effective.