In the run up to the Autumn Budget questions were already being asked about how the Labour administration plans to fill the 鈥溌�22 billion black hole鈥�, which Sir Keir Starmer quoted was left over from the previous government.
This Autumn Budget will be like no other, with huge pressure on departmental budgets as the Chancellor seeks savings across government.
The agriculture budget is as much in the firing line as any other, and we need MPs to understand just how important it is not only for food security, but for the environment and economic growth.
Speaking on the ninth, annual Back British Farming Day, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: 鈥淲hile in opposition we heard consistently from Labour that food security is national security. The Prime Minister, speaking at NFU Conference last year, pledged that Labour 鈥榓spires to govern for every corner of our country, and will seek a new relationship with the countryside and farming communities on this basis, a relationship based on respect and on genuine partnership鈥�.
鈥淲e now need to see those ambitions realised. Today we鈥檙e calling on government to truly value UK food security by delivering a renewed and enhanced multi-annual agriculture budget of 拢5.6 billion on the 30 October.
鈥淭his budget is essential in giving Britain鈥檚 farmers and growers the confidence they desperately need to invest for the future and deliver on our joint ambitions on producing more sustainable, affordable homegrown food while creating more jobs and delivering for nature, energy security and climate-friendly farming.鈥�
Budget breakdown
Independent work from the Andersons Centre commissioned by the NFU has suggested an annual budget in England of around 拢4 billion is needed:
- around 拢2.7 billion to meet the government鈥檚 environmental goals
- 拢615 million for driving productivity
- 拢720 million to support the economic stability of agricultural businesses
Respecting the nature of devolved government, we estimate this would translate to a UK-wide budget of around 拢5.6 billion.
This will allow a fair transition away from the old EU system, to one that delivers public good for public funds, gives farmers the confidence to invest, and makes the government鈥檚 aims around sustainable food production, food security, the environment and net zero possible.
What is the Autumn Budget?
The Budget is a statement made by the Chancellor to MPs in the House of Commons, presenting the government鈥檚 plans for the economy, including changes to taxation and spending.
The UK government's Budget is one of the most important events in the country's economic calendar which takes place annually and usually, in the autumn. This year the date is set for 30 October and is particularly significant as it will be the first for the new Labour government and their chance to set out their financial priorities for the next parliament.
The Budget has several key purposes including, managing public finances, ensuring economic stability and long-term financial sustainability as well as to provide accountability and transparency of the Government.
After the Budget statement, MPs may be asked to approve immediate changes to some taxes. There is then a debate in the Commons, normally lasting four days.
See our progress on the fight for the farming budget.
NFU organises a mass lobby to stop the family farm tax
Farmers and growers descend on London to meet with their MPs as part of the NFU鈥檚 call to action to reverse the family farm tax. NFU President Tom Bradshaw opens the mass lobby with an impassioned speech in Church House, Westminster with the presidents of the other UK farming unions on stage. Members then went to tell their story to their MPs.听
Support for the quickly rises with over 231,000 members of the public joining the call to overturn the family farm tax.
NFU meets with Defra and Treasury to discuss Inheritance Tax
NFU President Tom Bradshaw meets Defra Secretary of State Steve Reed and Treasury Minister James Murray to outline the impact of Inheritance Tax changes on family farms and national food security.
Public backs NFU campaign to overturn family farm tax
On 1 November, the NFU launches the campaign urging the government to think again following its Autumn Budget announcement.
NFU members, British farmers and the public joined forces to call on the government to reverse its decision on the APR (Agricultural Property Relief), with more than 120,000 people adding their names to the campaign action to stop the family farm tax.
NFU leads calls for family farm tax to be reversed
Britain鈥檚 farmers and growers will take part in a mass lobby of their MPs on 19 November to highlight the devastating impact of the recent budget on their farms, with changes to Agricultural Property Relief dealing a hammer blow to farming families.
Show your support and call for the government to overturn the family farm tax.
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Photograph: Mike Booth / Alamy
Budget blow for British farming, says NFU
皇家华人responds to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Autumn Budget announcement, warning that new measures could lead to food price rises.
New measures include changes to APR (Agricultural Property Relief) that are likely to impact significant numbers of farm estates, including small and medium-sized enterprises, and an above-inflation hike in the NLW (National Living Wage), with the rate for over 21s increasing 6.7% to 拢12.21 from April.
Farming industry writes to Chancellor amid fears of inheritance tax relief changes
The UK farming industry comes together to warn the Chancellor about the crippling effect changes to inheritance tax reliefs, including APR and BPR, would have on family farms, tenant farmers, domestic food security and environmental delivery.
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Photograph: Alex MacNaughton / Alamy
APR changes would put family farms at risk, warns NFU
Reports that the Treasury is considering major changes to agricultural property relief as part of the forthcoming budget spark concern among farmers and growers.
NFU analysis of APR suggests that scrapping it would only save the Treasury 拢120 million per year, while the negative impact on farming would be much larger.
皇家华人secures a debate in parliament this on the issue.
7 key Autumn Budget asks 鈥� NFU writes to the Chancellor
皇家华人writes to the Chancellor outlining the key asks for farming 鈥� chief among them is the need for a multi-year agriculture budget of 拢5.6 billion.
We are also seeking confirmation that there will be no changes to APR (Agricultural Property Relief) which currently exempts farmland from inheritance tax.
皇家华人believes that any removal of APR is unlikely to raise much in the way of tax, but could lead to a contraction in the amount of rental land for farmers.
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Photograph: amanda rose / Alamy
Parliament debates the agriculture budget
Following NFU lobbying, MPs from across the House of Commons call on the government to deliver an increased agriculture budget after an opposition debate day raises the importance of farming to Britain鈥檚 food security, environment and economic growth.
NFU launches 'write to your MP' campaign action
NFU President Tom Bradshaw brands newly released Defra figures as 鈥渦nacceptable鈥�, after they showed a 拢130 million yearly underspend against plans between April 2023 and March 2024.
皇家华人had repeatedly shared its concerns about this issue.
On Back British Farming Day, the NFU calls for the government to deliver a renewed and enhanced multi-annual agriculture budget of 拢5.6 billion in the Autumn Budget on 30 October.
皇家华人hosts a fringe event at the Labour Party Conference with Food Security and Rural Affairs Minister Daniel Zeichner on the panel. We reiterate our call for an increased budget.
Defra Secretary commits to making farming's case to Treasury
At the NFU's Back British Farming Day parliamentary reception, Defra Secretary of State Steve Reed pledges to make farming鈥檚 case to the Treasury.
鈥楩ood security is our shared mission鈥�, Farming Minister tells NFU MP reception
NFU holds first parliamentary reception after the State Opening of the new parliament. NFU President Tom Bradshaw pushes Minister Daniel Zeichner on the budget.
NFU has first meeting with new Defra Secretary
NFU President Tom Bradshaw meets new Defra Secretary Steve Reed.
After the meeting Tom says: 鈥淪teve Reed has just outlined his plan for change and it鈥檚 good to hear that food security, the environment and flood management are all focus areas. These now need to be underpinned by a budget that will enable the necessary investment.鈥�
NFU meets with parliamentary candidates
In the run up to the election the NFU meets with almost 400 candidates, ensuring our message on the budget is heard.
General election announced
The government announces a general election to take place on 4 July. 皇家华人continues to make the case for an agriculture budget that delivers for British farming and growing.听
No. 10 hosts second Farm to Fork Summit
皇家华人has secured major wins and explored ways to restore farmers鈥� confidence at the second Farm to Fork summit.
The summit coincides with several announcements which represent major wins for the NFU.
NFU launches its general election manifesto
皇家华人launches its Farming for Britain鈥檚 Future key policy asks ahead of an anticipated general election. These asks contain research from The Andersons Centre that explains why a robust agriculture budget must deliver for the stability and productivity of farming alongside the environment.
