This week in Westminster, the DUP’s Agriculture spokesperson, challenged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to do the right thing and support the industries and sectors that are fundamental to the UK’s security and stability.

The MP said: “No farmers - no food; No Hauliers - empty shelves; No Construction - a country that’s not moving forward.

“In Northern Ireland these three industries are now taking to the streets to protest - clear evidence that the Labour Government’s inaction is pushing them to the brink. Today, will the Chancellor commit to cutting fuel duty, scraping punitive carbon taxes and provide meaningful support for our vital industries?

The Chancellor, in her usual dismissive style, replied saying: “In Northern Ireland and across the country people got £150 off their energy bills in April. Northern Ireland was the biggest beneficiary for the support in heating oil. The money was allocated disproportionately to Northern Ireland given its reliance on heating oil compared to the rest of Great Britain.”

Ms Lockhart later raised a Point of Order in the House of Commons. She said: “The Chancellor suggested that households in Northern Ireland got £150 off their energy bills in April.

“That statement is factually wrong and somewhat misleading. I believe it is important that the record is set straight because households in Northern Ireland will not see £150 off their bills like those in the rest of the UK.”

The MP explained: “The money which was received as a result of the Barnett Consequential is still sitting in the Sinn Fein Economy Minister’s departmental purse, unspent with no forthcoming plans, and a refusal to engage with HM Treasury to actually get the money spent. Not only do we need the record set straight, but we also need a plan to get the money to constituents who are hard pressed.”

Carla Lockhart MP urged the Government to take immediate and meaningful action to support local communities.

She said: “Sir Keir Starmer’s party is failing the nation. First the Cabinet Office omits farming and food production from its list of industries classed as critical to national food security, and then it excludes farmers from much-needed support aimed at combating rising costs.

“Why does this Government continually ignore the plight of our farmers and undermine the wider agri-food sector? They are sleepwalking into a national food security crisis. Labour’s arrogance to agriculture is disgraceful, particularly in light of the recent announcement confirming that the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will provide support to 10,000 manufacturing businesses, with no equivalent provision for agriculture.”

Ms Lockhart pointed out that other countries, including France, Germany and the Republic of Ireland, have already intervened to support their farming sectors.

The MP added: “UK farmers are being pushed to the brink by spiralling input costs particularly fuel, fertiliser and energy.

“The recent fuel protests are the result of tension that has been building for many months. For many ordinary working people - the alarm clock workers who keep our economy moving - enough is enough!

“The rising cost of fuel is the final straw, adding to the already significant pressures on businesses, with the UK facing the highest industrial energy prices and endless red tape.”

She continued: “Working men and women are watching closely to see if the Labour Government is prepared to take action to ease those burdens. There is a growing belief that the Government wants to save the planet for future generations but fails to realise that they are putting this generation under intolerable strain. That is why we saw such strong public support for last week’s protests.”

Ms Lockhart issued a stark warning: “Unless urgent action is taken by Westminster, these protests will gain momentum. The Government must listen, engage, and act now before lasting damage is done to our farming industry and national food security.

“At the heart of the issue are three key pressure points: uneven global supply, corporate concentration, and dependence on vulnerable shipping routes. This reliance exposes British farming to global volatility at a time when food security is becoming an increasingly pressing concern.”



“By resuming UK domestic oil and gas drilling, policymakers could lessen reliance on imported fuel, stabilise energy costs, and indirectly ease pressure on fertiliser production and pricing, concluded the MP.