Our farmers are the bedrock of our rural area and ensuring they can thrive and grow benefits our local economy and our local communities. To this end news that over £350k has been awarded to farmers and foresters in Taunton Deane as part of the Government’s £31m Farming Equipment and Technology Fund is welcome. I met many members of our enterprising local agricultural community recently at the Royal Bath and West show where it was clear that utilising the latest technology and equipment was a key to future viability. This funding will help farmers and growers in our area to boost farm productivity, reduce waste, improve slurry management, cut input costs, as well as increase environmental sustainability. The fund forms part of the Government’s manifesto commitment to invest £2.4 billion per year in farming for the rest of this Parliament and follows the UK Farm to Fork Summit held in Downing Street last month where the Government announced a package of support for the farming sector.
Another area this Government is leading on is the commitment to eliminate plastic pollution by 2040. I was honoured to be representing the UK in my capacity as DEFRA Environment Minister, at the recent intergovernmental committee conference in Paris to kick off negotiations for an international plastics treaty that will commit to this plastic pollution target. A shocking 13million tonnes of plastic ends up in our oceans every year. This needs to change. Progress is underway with 170 countries agreeing to work together on the treaty due to be signed next year.
The provision of top-quality healthcare is another important need for our local area. Following up on the recent announcement by the Health Secretary that Musgrove Park Hospital will remain in the programme for the upgrade of the whole site by 2030, (something I've worked with the Musgrove Leadership team on for many years now), I was delighted to meet the dedicated staff at the hospitals' Maternity Unit last week to thank them for all they do and to highlight the future development. Whilst they provide excellent care, upgrading the unit (where I had all three of my children) will mean they can work in the kind of world class facilities they deserve.
Finally, I have been contacted by many residents from Ivy House and The Old Vicarage in Wellington regarding the news that the Abbeyfield Society, that runs the enterprises, is considering withdrawing from running these properties. I called for an urgent meeting to ensure the voices of residents and local people were heard and I joined the subsequent meeting which was held on Tuesday, bringing together interested parties. I have met with a number of residents who, not surprisingly are deeply worried about their future. The consultation on the proposals will run for a significant period and Abbeyfield, which is a not-for-profit company, conveyed that their preference would be to find an alternative provider to take over the properties. Abbeyfield themselves are consolidating their business and looking to reduce their portfolio of properties especially those requiring investment in terms of maintenance. I will continue to engage with the company and will report back in due course.
