Government Spending Review Sparks Concerns for UK Farmers

Strategic Insights -

The recent government Spending Review has been met with a mixture of reactions from the farming industry, with some cautiously welcoming the announcement of £2.7 billion for farming and nature recovery, while others express concern over the real terms cut to the budget and the devastating impact of the family farm tax policy. NFU's Cambridgeshire chair Alison Morris and President Tom Bradshaw have raised concerns about the £100 million cut to farming, with Mr. Bradshaw calling for farmers to be included in the government's industrial strategy to help increase funding.

Key Takeaways:

  • The government has announced an overall settlement of £7.4 billion for the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) and £2.7 billion for farming and nature recovery.
  • The £2.7 billion for farming and nature recovery equates to a real terms cut of £100 million to farming and countryside programmes due to inflation.
  • NFU's Cambridgeshire chair Alison Morris has expressed concern over the "devastating" family farm tax, which threatens the future of small and medium-sized family farms.
  • NFU President Tom Bradshaw has called for farmers to be included in the government's industrial strategy to help increase access to funding and support for the industry.
  • The NFU is seeking further details of the government's Spending Review plans and is lobbying for the agriculture budget to be protected.

Statistics:

  • £7.4 billion overall settlement for the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra).
  • £2.7 billion for farming and nature recovery.
  • £100 million real terms cut to farming and countryside programmes due to inflation.
  • 5th generation farmer and NFU's Cambridgeshire chair Alison Morris.

Sources:

  • NFU President Tom Bradshaw
  • NFU's Cambridgeshire chair Alison Morris

goverment's Spending Review documents