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Farming & food  A third of British farmers made no profit in past year (UK)    35% of the farmers surveyed for a report for McCain Foods said that they made a loss or were breaking even.  The report states that 51% of farmers have considered leaving the industry in the past year due to financial […]

The closure of key Government schemes like the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Capital Grants has created uncertainty in the funding landscape for farmers and landowners.  These changes, along with the reductions in Basic Payment Schemes have left a gap in accessible agri-environmental funding at a time when demand for nature recovery and climate resilience […]

The Renters’ Rights Bill has now received Royal Assent, marking the most significant overhaul of the private rented sector in decades. It is a pivotal moment, bringing substantial changes for landlords across three key areas: rent review procedures, length of occupation and administrative requirements. It is important to note that the majority of the Act is not […]

Farming & food UK tractor registrations increase for first time in nine months (UK) Registrations in September 2025 were slightly higher than those in September 2024, according to data from the Agricultural Engineers Association.  This is a positive sign after registration numbers had previously fallen in every month in 2025 compared with the year before.  […]

Welcome to this quarter’s health & safety update. As we head into the latter part of the year, there’s no shortage of change and challenge across our industry — from ongoing safety concerns in agriculture to new legislation affecting landlords and property managers. In this edition, we take a look at the rise in farming […]

Wondering what grants or funding may be available to improve the energy efficiency of your home or rental property? There is a selection of grant schemes and incentives available across Great Britian designed to cut energy bills, boost comfort, and prepare properties for a low-carbon future. The value of the support can range from a […]

Lifetime gifting of farm or estate assets through Potentially Exempt Transfers (PETs) can be a valuable tool for succession and Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning. While your solicitor and accountant can guide you through the legal and financial implications,  it is equally important to acknowledge the practical and human consequences of transferring assets between generations.  Tax […]

Farming & food Agricultural land use in England (England) Defra has published the latest data on land use, for the year ending on 1 June 2025.  The main points are: The proportion of England’s total area used for agriculture has barely changed in the past ten years, remaining at 68-69%. The total croppable area has […]

Rising wages across the wider economy are putting labour costs back in the spotlight for farmers and landowners. Although many farming and land-based businesses are under financial strain, rising private and public sector wages and increases in the National Living Wage mean employers are under pressure to keep pace. Minimum pay levels for farmworkers are […]

The planned changes to Inheritance Tax (IHT) put valuations firmly centre stage for farmers and landowners.  What has for many years been covered almost entirely by Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) will soon look very different. With only the first £1m of qualifying property set to attract 100% APR or BPR […]

Farming & food Modelling the impact of IHT reforms on farm profitability (UK)  We have modelled the likely liability and affordability of the proposed changes to inheritance tax on a range of farm sizes.  Our modelling assumes farmers will use some of the most straightforward tax-planning steps – such as dividing assets between spouses, restructuring […]

The window is narrowing for farms and estate businesses to prepare for forthcoming inheritance tax (IHT) reforms, with new analysis highlighting the impact on farm profitability for farms of different sizes and performance levels. The draft Finance Bill confirmed changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR), due to take effect from […]