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Farm succession planning: The overlooked pitfalls of IHT gifting
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 […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 30 September 2025
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 […]
Farmers face further labour cost pressures, as wages in other sectors climb
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 […]
Why accurate valuations are central to IHT planning
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 […]
Land Business Update | Week commencing 15 September 2025
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 […]
New modelling shows impact of IHT reforms on profitability
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 […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 1 September 2025
Farming & food An EU trade deal with safeguards for farming (EU) Given UK trade agreements, it’s interesting to see how others are being structured. After 25 years of negotiations, the trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries, which include Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, has been agreed. Many European farmers are worried […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 18 August 2025
Farming & food Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier – complete the pre-application process to be able to apply Only people who have been invited to apply, received pre-application advice and completed any preparatory work will be able to apply for the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) when it opens for applications in September. Please contact […]
Positive changes to Woodland Carbon Code
A new version of the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) – the quality assurance standard for UK woodland carbon projects – has been published with the early indications looking like the update will be financially and practically beneficial to landowners and land managers alike. Version 3 of the WCC was officially launched on 1 August. However, […]
Counting down to IHT reform: What farms and estates must do now
The window is narrowing for farms and estate businesses to prepare for the forthcoming inheritance tax (IHT) reforms. The recent draft Finance Bill confirmed the planned changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR), due to take effect from April 2026. The implications for farming businesses are significant, and while industry bodies […]
In the Know: Managing rights of way and permissive paths
Managing public access can present serious challenges for land managers – from livestock worrying and gates left open, to crops damaged by people straying from footpaths. For some, it also means fly-tipping, motorbike damage or general tension with members of the public who may not understand or respect the working nature of the land. The […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 4 August 2025
Farming & food Is your farm turning a truly sustainable profit? (UK) Farming is facing a range of significant challenges, including the ending of Basic Payments, changes to inheritance tax and climate change. These pressures are sparking urgent conversations – both in the industry and in Government – about what needs to change to support […]
Is your farm turning a truly sustainable profit?
Farming is facing a perfect storm of challenges – from the end of Basic Payments to growing environmental pressures and increasingly extreme weather. These pressures are sparking urgent conversations – both in the industry and in Government – about what needs to change to support farm profitability. Former NFU President Baroness Minette Batters is currently […]
Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier – information and advice
Defra has announced that the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (HT) scheme will open for applications in September 2025, to those who have been invited to apply. It has been a long wait for this moment – the application window was last open in autumn 2023. But it is a welcome move given the current […]
New report highlights value of off-site Biodiversity Net Gain
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a landmark market-led policy that’s helping to restore nature while unlocking sustainable development. But as the Government considers changes to the policy, new research has identified opportunities for how it could be strengthened to deliver even greater benefits for nature, developers and communities. The report, The Comparative Value of On-site vs […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 21 July 2025
Farming & food Capital Grants scheme already 50% allocated so act quickly (England) Defra has said that just over half of available funds have been allocated to around 5,000 applications. The round will close to applications when the available funding (£150m) has been committed, so act quickly if you might want to apply. Funding is […]
Environmental Business Update | July 2025
Strutt & Parker’s Rural team brings you a roundup of the latest environmental and renewables news and views. Environmental insights from our team Long-term nature agreements – what landowners need to consider (England) As interest grows in Landscape Recovery and similar long-term environmental schemes, land managers are weighing up the opportunities – and the long-term […]
Five things you can do to make your farm safer
Farming is demanding – physically, mentally, and logistically. But taking just a few moments to think ahead can help prevent serious accidents and keep your team safe. Ahead of Farm Safety Week (21-25 July 2025), here are five practical things you can start doing today: 1. Pause for thought. Before taking action, particularly if it […]
Capital Grants scheme reopens in England
Defra has announced the reopening of its Capital Grants scheme, which provides funding to cover part or all the cost of activities or equipment which will help the environment and support habitat restoration. The scheme had been closed for new applications since November 2024. There are 78 items available through the Capital Grant offer, which […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 7 July 2025
Farming & food Confirmation of English Basic Payments for 2026/27 (England) Basic Payments for 2026/27 will be capped at a maximum of £600 per business, a reduction from this year’s cap of £7,200 per business. The payments will continue to be based on the size of a farm, so a 1,000 acre farm which would […]
