Andy Burnham is set to unveil a £65million support package to farmers as the Government ramps up its response to the driest July on record.
The announcement follows a Cobra meeting chaired by the Prime Minister this week, with a focus on the national response to the extreme heat, wildfires and drought.
The package forms part of a wider cross-government effort tackling farming, water supply and infrastructure pressures caused by the prolonged dry spell.
It will help farmers get water to crops, keep livestock fed where grass has failed and continue environmental agreements without losing payments, when drought makes agreed work impossible.
Farmers will also receive support to build on-farm water storage, helping prepare for future dry summers.
Mr Burnham is due to visit a farm in the south west tomorrow alongside farming minister Stephen Morgan.
They will meet affected farmers and set out the Government’s plan.
The Prime Minister is expected to say: “I am meeting with farmers here in the South West who brought in the earliest harvest of their working lives and watched the yield come in well down on what it should be.”
“Lower income, higher costs, and no rain in the forecast. I understand the worry that comes with that,” he will add.
Mr Burnham is also expected to say: “The ability to grow our own food is national security, and I will treat it that way.
“So we are acting now: more money into farm support, help to get reservoirs built, and easier access to water when it is scarce.
“This is the third drought in five years. Farmers are at the sharp end of a changing climate, and they should not be carrying that risk alone.”
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The package includes greater flexibility in environmental schemes, allowing drought-hit farmers to continue receiving payments while taking practical steps to protect livestock, crops and land.
An extra £50million will go into the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026, taking its total budget to £290million.
Ministers also plan to make it easier to build reservoirs by reducing planning barriers.
An updated National Planning Policy Framework is due to be published on Monday.
Up to £15million has been earmarked for on-farm reservoirs.
Farmers will also benefit from improved access to water during drought conditions through the Environment Agency.
Environment Secretary Angela Eagle said the government was “stepping in with practical support” to help farmers through what she called some of the toughest conditions in decades.
She added that ministers would keep working with the sector through the Farming Roadmap.
The announcement comes amid growing concern over Britain’s food security.
Investment bank Shore Capital has warned the UK is facing its “worst food security crisis in decades,” with wheat yields down 14 per cent and oat supplies down nine per cent this year.
The bank cautioned that reduced yields will leave Britain more reliant on imports, which could push up animal feed costs and, in turn, supermarket prices.
Alistair Carmichael, chairman of the environment, food and rural affairs committee, warned that the problems facing farmers now would filter through to consumers within six to 12 months.
Food inflation could rise to five per cent in the coming months, according to Shore Capital, up from its current rate of 1.7 per cent.
Almost three-quarters of England is now in drought status, with 27 million people currently subject to hosepipe bans.
The Government has insisted the UK’s food system remains resilient, pointing to strong domestic production and international trade.
It says it does not expect the dry weather to affect national food security.
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