Sarah Dyke MP 🔶

In yesterday’s Pride Month debate, I reiterated my calls for more lesbians – and more people from across the LGBTQ+ community – to stand for election, whether that be in local elections or for Parliament.

I am glad to hear that the first application window for SFI 2026 will soon be opened to small farms and those without an existing agreement. I will continue pushing for clarity for the 28,000 farmers with agreements due to expire later this year or in early 2027.

This morning, I paid tribute in the House of Commons to the three Royal Navy personnel from RNAS Yeovilton who tragically lost their lives on a training exercise in Devon on Tuesday night. My thoughts are with their families, their friends, and their colleagues at this incredibly difficult time.

Today, as Liberal Democrat Spokesperson, I asked the Minister for Water and Flooding about the Government’s plans to hold water companies properly to account.

I enjoyed the sunshine on the banks of the River Parrett even more after receiving confirmation from Wessex Water that new real-time water quality monitoring equipment will be installed in Langport this week.

As a member of the EFRA Select Committee, earlier this week I highlighted the urgent need to increase support for nature-friendly farming techniques and nature-based flooding solutions.

Today in Westminster, I responded to the King’s Speech, pointing out that the delay in awarding Leonardo the new Medium Helicopter Contract is symptomatic of a Government which doesn’t take the UK’s security seriously.

On behalf of the Liberal Democrats, my colleague Tim Farron MP and I are determined to push the Government to adopt my Good Food Bill, which calls for the development of a national food strategy prioritising the procurement of high-quality, British-grown produce.

While I’m glad that the Government has agreed to postpone the Chancellor’s planned 5p increase in fuel duty, they must scrap their planned hike altogether, roll out our fully-costed plan to slash petrol prices by 12p per litre, and implement my Good Food Bill to safeguard our food supply chains.

Rural pubs are the beating heart of our communities. Despite this, recent increases to business rates and VAT for hospitality venues are putting pubs like the White Hart in Castle Cary under threat.

The King's Speech was a missed opportunity completely failing to address food security - critical to our national security especially in times of global instability. My Good Food Bill puts a National Food Strategy in place to support farmers & ensure stability in the supply chain & at the checkout.

Happy Somerset Day! 11th May marks Alfred the Great’s call to arms and the gathering of all the people of Somerset to march against the invading Viking army in 878 AD. I had a wonderful time celebrating all things Somerset with the Somerset Cider Brandy Company at Burrow Hill Farm.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for the Government to invest in Hobby Hubs – revitalising our community spaces, providing funding for specialist equipment, and helping to combat social isolation. If you have a hobby you’d like me to try out, please contact me at sarah.dyke.mp@parliament.uk

On LBC News this morning, I discussed the Liberal Democrats’ proposals to tackle illegal waste-dumping across the UK.

Today, the Government accepted a Liberal Democrat amendment to make rural affairs a core competency of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. As Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Rural Affairs, I will hold the Government to account to ensure their promised support comes to fruition.

You might have caught me on BBC Countryfile yesterday evening, discussing my Dairy Farming and Dairy Products Bill. Farmers are the backbone of our food security, and therefore our national security. I will keep fighting to ensure they receive the support they need to keep our country fed.

Yesterday, I presented a Parliamentary petition urging the Government to take immediate action to save the River Brue catchment, replace Ofwat with a stronger unified regulator, place water companies under mutual ownership, and enforce transparency on sewage discharges. Sign here: buff.ly/fxmq4vI

As Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Rural Affairs, yesterday I highlighted the nature crisis we are facing in the UK. While renewables are essential for a low-carbon future, the preservation and protection of peatland habitats is also a key priority.

Yesterday, I presented a Parliamentary petition, calling for the Government to encourage Dorset Council and Somerset Council to ensure that Somerset residents are able to use their closest household waste recycling centre without charge. Add your name here to join my calls: buff.ly/7PrIp8h

Investing in solar energy is a key step towards achieving net zero – but installing solar panels on fertile farmland further jeopardises the UK’s capacity to produce food. To ensure we meet our net zero goals, we must expand the incentives for our farmers to install rooftop solar panels.

With global instability rising, it is crucial that we close the training capability gap identified in the Strategic Defence Review. Today I asked the Secretary of State how the Government intends to increase apprenticeship funding, in order to address this skills shortage.

Today, I tabled my Good Food Bill in Parliament. This Bill places a clear duty on the Government to safeguard our food security, and therefore our national security.

Today in Parliament I reiterated the Liberal Democrats’ demands for an immediate 3 month zero-rating for VAT on heating oil for all residential homes, and a price cap to protect them from international shocks. To listen to my speech in full, please visit my YouTube channel here: buff.ly/bkPmqEu

Today I pushed the Minister to provide a detailed breakdown of how many of the additional 1.8 million NHS dental appointments provided have been urgent appointments, as opposed to routine checkups.

As April 6 approaches, farmers are facing the reality of the Family Farm Tax. They're already dealing with spiralling costs & now the very real possibility they won’t be able to pass on the farms their families have built over generations. I'm calling on the Govt to axe the tax & back our farmers.