Sir Keir Starmer said his Government was “listening good and hard” to farmers but did not rule out cutting the farming budget in an interview this week.

Asked whether he would cut spending on farming at the Budget in October, the Prime Minister told ITV West Country: “We were elected on a mandate for change and I am determined to deliver that change so living standards go up everywhere, we work with farmers across all regions, and we make sure the health service is working properly again.

“In order to do that we must stabilise the economy, which is why we are taking tough decisions.

(Image: Justin Tallis/PA Wire)

“In relation to farming in particular, we can do some really important things quickly. Reducing energy bills, and talking to farmers that’s obviously a huge concern to them, but also we’ve looked at the procurement of food in the public sector and we want to go to 50% of produce from the UK. That will be a big boost to farmers.

“I can assure farmers that we are listening good and hard to what they said to us before the election and we are absolutely determined that we will deliver on our mandate for change.”

Saying he was “acutely aware” of the difficulties facing farmers, he added: “We have some tough decisions but I won’t get ahead of the Budget.”

Farming leaders have been pressing the Government raise the UK’s agricultural budget amid concerns over potential cuts.

Reports have suggested that a £100m underspend in the budget could be handed back to the Treasury, as part of efforts to fill what the Government has labelled a £22bn “black hole” in the country’s finances.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce the Budget on October 30.