Farmers across Essex and throughout England will miss out on securing farm payments from the Government as a result of a chaotic application process overseen by Labour ministers. The application process meant that an online application process for £233m of funding under the sustainable farming incentive (SFI) closed within 6 hours of applications opening on 22 September 2026. Many farmers were unable to submit and complete applications while others have not attempted to apply given the confusion of the SFI process.
Priti said:
“Local farmers are furious with the Labour Government over their chaotic handling of the SFI application process. Many have been shut out of applying for funding and are now facing uncertainty over future funding opportunities. Our farmers produce the best food to high standards but faced with red tape and burdens it’s disgraceful that Labour have let them down. Labour ministers have no understanding of how farmers work and the pressures they face and the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, does not care.”
“With new taxes on family farms, family businesses and fertiliser our farmers are being hit hard by this incompetent Labour Government which has declared war on our countryside.”
