Our market leading research and articles deliver actionable insights to help our clients make informed business decisions.

Farming & food Major changes to ELM schemes rumoured (England)  The Guardian has reported that environmental funding through ELM schemes may only be targeted at areas that the government has mapped out as having the best potential for nature, such as the uplands and paying farmers not to cultivate on peat soil.  Defra sources are […]

As interest grows in Landscape Recovery and similar long-term environmental schemes, land managers are weighing up the opportunities – and the long-term implications. Landscape Recovery is the most ambitious tier of Defra’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes and involves individuals and groups collaborating to deliver a range of environmental benefits at scale. It is a […]

Farming & food Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) payment rates increased for many options (England)  Rates will increase by around 34% for each option, bringing them more in line with rates paid by the Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) schemes but still below them for many options.  The rates had not been increased for […]

The Government is proposing stricter Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in the private-rented sector, along with significant reforms to the Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) regime. This means landlords are facing a number of potential changes which will require careful planning in terms of what to invest in energy efficiency improvements and when. The proposals may […]

Succession planning has become more important than ever for farming families following the changes to the inheritance tax regime, but conversations need to be focused on more than just tax and the transfer of assets. It requires a two-pronged approach – alongside tax considerations there needs to be equal focus on the management of the […]

Farming & food UK – US trade agreement (UK) In one of the first trade agreements that the US has signed recently, the UK government says that the framework that it has agreed has protected our farmers and established a number of useful principles – reciprocity, no reduction of standards – on which to negotiate […]

The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF), which provides grants for machinery, equipment and technology items which will help to cut costs and drive efficiency, opens for applications on 29 May 2025. Funding is available to farmers in England under three themes – productivity, slurry management and animal health and welfare – with a total […]

Rural economy & property Renters’ Rights Bill – time to prepare (England) The Renters’ Rights Bill aims to ensure a fair balance between strengthening the rights of tenants and preserving landlords’ ability to manage their properties effectively. The proposed legislation has yet to complete its passage through Parliament, but we are not anticipating any significant […]

The Renters’ Rights Bill aims to ensure a fair balance between strengthening the rights of tenants and preserving landlords’ ability to manage their properties effectively. The proposed legislation has yet to complete its passage through Parliament, but we are not anticipating any significant changes to the wording, and it is expected to become law within […]

Spring is here which means the farm and estate market is starting to pick up pace. There is an amazing diversity in the properties currently coming to the market. We bring you a round-up of five of our recent launches: Michaelchurch Estate, Herefordshire The Michaelchurch Estate is one of the most significant rural holdings to […]

Rural economy & property Spring statement – watch the June spending review for changes to Defra’s budget  There were, as far as we can see, no new or unexpected changes that affect farming or rural businesses.  There were some (anticipated) changes to welfare and defence spending but not many tax changes.  The main event for […]

Policy & legislation Land use consultation – starting a national conversation   The Government has issued a 12-week consultation on a Land Use Framework for England which seeks to establish the principles, data and tools which can be used to improve decision-making about the competing pressures for land. It estimates that the total land use […]