Josh Newbury

I wish you, Madam Deputy Speaker, our fantastic House staff and all hon. Members a very merry Christmas. It is a time to reflect on the year that we have had and on the year ahead. In Cannock Chase, there is cause for celebration. Though many of us face uncertainty, there is plenty of hope for optimism in 2026. I will start with the heroes who produce the food that is central to many of our Christmases: our farmers. They have weathered two difficult winters, disease outbreaks, the abrupt closure of support schemes and changes to inheritance tax. Those who cannot pass their farm on in time face impossible choices, such as selling off land or stopping farming altogether. Yet we now have Baroness Batters’ profitability review, which I believe will drive positive changes in 2026, some of which the Government have already committed to. Next year, we can look forward to many chances to turn the corner on more than a decade of uncertainty for farmers. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to Danny Emmott who, until seven weeks ago, was the chair of the Staffordshire Young Farmers. This week, we have received the awful news that Danny has taken his own life. He was just 28 years old and leaves behind a two-year-old daughter. I only met Danny on a couple of occasions, but his passion for the incredible work and fundraising that young farmers do shone through. He was an advocate for many brilliant causes, such as the Yellow Wellies campaign that supports our farming community with mental health and wellbeing. Danny will be hugely missed by so many in Staffordshire, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends, who I know will be going through unimaginable grief. As 2025 comes to a close, I hope the spirit of goodwill will carry us forward with the positivity and determination that we need to make sure 2026 brings us lots of good news and certainty for the towns and villages that it is my pleasure to represent.