Politics News

A new report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has warned that the UK government is not adequately prepared for the most severe animal disease outbreaks.

Leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch once again called for the family farm tax to be scrapped and took a swipe at the chancellor’s “laundry list of excuses” ahead of the next Autumn Budget.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw appeared at the House of Lords to give evidence on how the government’s proposed changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief will affect farm businesses.

NFU has warned that rising energy costs and higher standing charges on business electricity bills are putting major pressure on the supply chain. Without action, these increases could threaten the survival of many farming businesses. 

New homes can be built quicker and with less stress if a compulsory purchase code of practice is introduced, the CLA has argued. 

Farming industry representatives responded to the remarks by farming minister Dame Angela Eagle, who said that the UK government will not U-turn on the inheritance tax plans despite recent speculations.

CLA research has shown that thousands of pubs, shops and bus routes and services have closed across rural communities in the past year alone.

MP for North East Hertfordshire, Chris Hinchliff, has proposed new ‘Contracts for Food Security’, outlining the urgent need for a radical shift in agricultural policy. He warns that years of neglect and unfair competition have left farmers struggling to survive. 

Almost 70% of all pension tax relief benefitted higher-rate and additional-rate taxpayers in 2023-24 – making pension reforms a strong contender for inclusion in chancellor Rachel Reeves’ upcoming Autumn Budget, NFU Mutual warns.

Representatives of the British farming industry have called on the government to use the upcoming Autumn Budget to rebuild its relationship with farmers and growers by introducing measures that will ignite investment and growth across the sector.

British farming leaders expressed “serious concerns” over how the building of new towns will impact rural communities. This follows the recent government pledge to start construction on three new towns before the next general election. 

Jennifer Riddell-Carpenter, MP for Suffolk Coastal, has spoken about Labour’s responsibility to ensure that rural communities are “front and centre” of the government’s mission for inclusive growth and opportunity.