Tom Gordon MP champions farming version of Teach First scheme to tackle food security crisis

Tom Gordon MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, is supporting a major new Liberal Democrat plan to safeguard Britain’s food security, including launching a Farm First training scheme, inspired by Teach First, to encourage more young people into
farming.

Recent Government statistics reveal that only 1 in 20 farmers (5%) are under the age of 35, raising serious concerns about the long term viability of the sector. Tom fears the UK risks losing a generation of farmers unless the Government takes urgent steps to make
agricultural careers more accessible and attractive to young people.

The proposals also call for stronger education on nutrition and home grown food production to support future generations and combat rising food poverty. Currently, 1 in 5 children (18%) and 1 in 10 households (11%) are living in food poverty. The Liberal Democrats argue that improving understanding of where food comes from within the UK, harnessing more locally grown produce, and widening access to agricultural training must form the backbone of a resilient domestic food system.

The Liberal Democrats are also continuing to campaign for the Government to reverse the Family Farm Tax.

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough said:

“It’s outrageous that so many families are struggling to afford food while our farmers across Yorkshire are being pushed to the brink, hammered by soaring costs and the looming threat of the Family Farm Tax."

“We need a complete reset in how this country values farming and where food comes from A ‘Farm First’ scheme would give young people a real route into agriculture, with the training and confidence to build a future in the industry."

“If the Government keeps turning a blind eye, we won’t just lose vital rural skills, we’ll jeopardise our entire food supply. No nation is secure if it can’t feed itself.”