Defra in the dock

That said, progress is still painfully slow. While a third of farmers earn less than the minimum wage, Defra – the Whitehall ministry responsible for the countryside – still employs six people who earn more than the Prime Minister, and a further 39 on £100,000-plus salaries.

Understandably, those farmers on the receiving end of the Rural Payments Agency’s mismanagement will regard this as another broken promise. There will also be bemusement that the Environment Agency has 17 high-earners on its books when so many flood prevention schemes across Yorkshire are being hit by funding delays.

A balance has to be struck – the loss of experienced staff invariably leads to more money being spent on external consultants. But that should not prevent the Government from honouring its pre-election commitments.