LABOUR has pledged to ensure British produce makes up at least half of food in schools, hospitals and prisons as it set out its “new deal” for the nation’s farmers.

The party said that it would use government buying power to back agricultural businesses as it seeks to woo rural voters before a general election next year.

It would run alongside Sir Keir Starmer’s plan to pursue a new veterinary agreement with the European Union and a Cobra-style “flood resilience taskforce” would also be created to reduce the risk on Britain’s farms.

The package of measures comes as Labour said the Tories are presiding over the “destruction” of agricultural-related businesses, with party analysis of Office for National Statistics data suggesting more than 6,300 have been terminated since 2017.

The party hopes its plan for GB Energy, a new publicly owned company to invest in clean, home-grown power and make Britain’s energy secure, will deliver cheaper bills for farmers.

It has promised to “rewire Britain” in a way that allows farmers to “rapidly plug their renewable energy into the grid.”

Food minister Mark Spencer said that Labour has failed to support farmers in the past and would continue to do so.