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New capital grant scheme to open in Scotland
The Scottish Government has announced details of a £14m Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) which opens for applications on 14 July. The FFIS offers grants of up to 100% of the capital costs of eligible investments which are ones that either improve business efficiency and sustainability; protect and enhance the environment; reduce greenhouse gas emissions […]
Water availability – the challenges and solutions facing farmers
Water availability is rapidly becoming one of the most critical challenges facing UK farmers and landowners. Climate change is already presenting major difficulties for the agricultural industry. The winter of 2023/24 was among the wettest on record, making crop establishment impossible for many. In stark contrast, spring 2025 was the driest for 50 years and […]
EPC methodology changing from 15 June – good news or bad?
The Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) system for domestic buildings is being overhauled from 16 June 2025, with the aim of producing more accurate and detailed assessments. EPCs for existing houses are calculated using the Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RdSAP) – a simplified version of the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) used for new builds. This […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 9 June 2025
Farming & food Effect on Defra budget less than feared from Spending Review (England) Reaction to the allocation for farming as been largely positive – it was less bad than was feared and there is feeling that the department did a good job to secure its funding. Support for sustainable farming and nature recovery will […]
Long-term nature deals: What land managers need to consider
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 […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 26 May 2025
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 […]
In the Know: Understanding the proposed domestic EPC and MEES reforms
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 […]
Tips and tools for successful farm succession planning
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 […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 12 May 2025
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 […]
Update on 2025 Farming Equipment and Technology Fund grants
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 […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 7 April 2025
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 […]
In the know: Renters’ Rights Bill – key questions answered
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 […]
Take 5…Farms, estates and famous fishing beats for sale
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 […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 24 March 2025
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 […]
Environmental Business Update | March 2025
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 […]
SFI update – what we know and where next for farmers?
Defra has shocked the rural sector with its decision to close the window for applications to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), but what does this mean for farmers moving forward? The following is a summary of the key details of the announcement along with some thoughts on its far-reaching implications: Defra closed the window for […]
Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) reports explained
Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) is the system used for grading the quality of agricultural land in England and Wales, with its primary function being to inform decision making about the appropriate sustainable development of land. The planning system is broadly designed to protect the ‘best and most versatile’ (BMV) agricultural land from significant, inappropriate or […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 10 March 2025
Farming & food Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme closed with no notice and now being ‘reset’ The government caused a lot of anger and consternation when it closed the scheme on Tuesday 11 March. It said that more farmers had applied than in previous years and so the budget limit had been reached. There are […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 24 February 2025
Rural economy & property Update on grants and rural policy in England The Secretary of State Steve Reed and his team made a number of positive announcements at the NFU Conference. Here are the ones we think are most important: ELM capital grants – all 4,000 applications that were held up will be processed and […]
In the Know: Hedgerow management rules – an update
Hedgerows play an important role in the countryside. Traditionally they were used to mark boundaries and contain livestock, but now their wider role is much more recognised. They reduce flooding. They control soil erosion and protecting fields from wind. They act as a barrier to fertilisers and pesticides entering water. And, of course, they are […]
