Politics News

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. 

NFU and several other organisations have written to the chancellor calling for urgent transparency in regard to the reforms to BPR and APR after ministers refused to answer key questions on the details of their controversial family farm tax policy.

The UK government is refusing to provide evidence to back up statements made by James Murray MP after he repeatedly said the clawback alternative to the inheritance tax changes would raise “much less” revenue than the current reforms, CLA said. 

Farming groups have reacted to the news of a SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) agreement, which addresses the impact of non-tariff barriers.

The UK government has been called to delay announcing its final agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) reforms until October 2026, so they would come into effect in April 2027.

Farming bosses said that pace and delivery on the bovine TB strategy must improve to ensure comprehensive change.

The government has announced the long-awaited next round of the FETF grant, among other available funding.