NFU Midlands spotlights farming asks at pre-Budget MP meetings

23 October 2026

NFU members from across the region have spent the weeks leading up to the 2026 Budget highlighting key industry asks with Labour MPs.

Members and staff joined forces in a series of meetings with their local politicians and stakeholders, pressing on the need for action from the government in the impending Budget to back up supportive words.

The NFU is urging the Chancellor to use the upcoming Budget to reduce the cost of producing food, restore farm business confidence and strengthen Britain’s food security.

Read the NFU's 5 Budget asks of government

Pre-Budget Labour MP meetings in the Midlands

  • Rachel Taylor MP (North Warwickshire and Bedworth)
  • Chris Bloore MP (Redditch)
  • Adam Jogee MP (Newcastle-under-Lyme)
  • Dave Robertson MP (Lichfield)
  • Dr Allison Gardner MP (Stoke-on-Trent South)
  • Lee Barron MP (Corby and East Northamptonshire)
  • Matt Western MP (Warwick and Leamington)
  • Nic Dakin MP (Scunthorpe) with Farming Minister Stephen Morgan MP
  • Lee Pitcher MP (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme)
  • Jo White MP (Bassetlaw)
  • Derbyshire MP roundtable at NFU Westminster office
Pre-Budget Derbyshire MP meeting
Pre-Budget Derbyshire MP meeting at NFU Westminster

"Reducing the cost of producing food, restoring farm business confidence and strengthening Britain’s food security are not just in the interests of agriculture - every single one of us would benefit from these measures."

NFU Midlands Policy Manager, Emily Wood

NFU Policy Manager, Emily Wood, said: "There has been a tremendous amount of work that members and staff have put in to ensure MPs, councillors and stakeholders are abundantly clear about what farming needs ahead of the Autumn Budget.

"And that will continue right up until the Budget announcement and beyond. 

"Reducing the cost of producing food, restoring farm business confidence and strengthening Britain’s food security are not just in the interests of agriculture - every single one of us would benefit from these measures.

"Now is the time for the government to act and allow farming to thrive." 

Farming is vital to the Midlands economy and environment

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing contribute around £3.7 billion to the Midlands economy and the industry employs more than 75,000 people directly on our farms, including part-time and seasonal labour. These figures do not include those employed in allied industries, processing, manufacturing, retail, catering and food service.

In total, there are more than 26,000 farm holdings over two million hectares across the region.

Gross farming output for the Midlands stands at around £6.2 billion and the largest individual sector contributors to this are: wheat (£1 billion), poultry meat (£1 billion), milk (£863 million), plants & flowers (£537 million), fresh vegetables (£511 million) and cattle for meat (£423 million).

Midlands farmers also help manage more than 76,000 hectares of farm woodland and over 24,000 miles of public rights of way.

Read Farming's Beating Heart: NFU Midlands stats report

This page was first published on 23 October 2026.

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