Politics News

British farming leaders have expressed their concerns following DEFRA’s announcement on steep cuts to delinked payments for 2026/27.

The Spending Review announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves has been “cautiously welcomed” by farming industry leaders, despite cuts.

British farming industry leaders have warned chancellor Rachel Reeves that cutting the agriculture budget will have “grave consequences” for the environment.

The former NFU president Baroness Minette Batters has asked farmers for help in shaping the review into the profitability of farming.

Farming boss has explained why the total income from farming has increased by £1.6 billion in 2024 and said that the figures are a “clear signal” for the government to “step up”.

British farming industry representatives said that the latest report into DEFRA’s ability to respond to animal disease outbreaks should serve as a “wake-up call” for the government as well as the public.

DEFRA has just announced the launch of a new review into tackling unfair practices in the combinable crops supply chain to protect farmers’ businesses and incomes.

Another farming industry representative, CLA, has spoken out following the publication of a new report by Family Businesses UK (FBUK) into the impacts of the inheritance tax changes.

Farming boss said that report into the impacts of the inheritance tax changes must serve as a “wake-up call” to Treasury; otherwise, the industry will face major cuts to investment and experience significant job losses.

“Without funding, this will be the government giving up on its own environmental targets,” said the NFU leader following rumours of significant cuts to nature-friendly farming schemes. 

Siân Gwenllian MS has launched a campaign to draw attention to a “fundamentally unfair” aspect of the inheritance tax changes, as they will disproportionately harm farming widows across Wales. 

The Prime Minister has recently confirmed that the government will make changes to its winter fuel allowance policy for pensioners. With research showing the family farm tax is one of the next most unpopular Budget measures with the public, the NFU is calling on ministers to amend its controversial inheritance tax policy too.