Shropshire Star Farming Talk: Ploughing through the strain
It’s been just over a month since the Autumn Budget, and two weeks since our Rural Business Conference where President of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Victoria Vyvyan called upon Defra Secretary, Steve Reed to work with the rural community to find solutions.
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Concerns around the Autumn Budget announcements have dominated the news and much of our time at the CLA, with increased calls and emails for advice and support.
With inheritance tax changes, the increase in national insurance payments and the proposal to accelerate the reduction of delinked payments, it is clear that worries about these subjects are taking their toll on farmers and rural business owners.
Commissioned by the CLA, a recent Survation poll of more than 1,000 people across England's 100 most rural constituencies reveals that 58 per cent oppose the proposed increase in inheritance tax, while less than a quarter support it.
Even among Labour voters in rural areas, 44 per cent are against the rise, compared to 37 per cent who are in favour.
Farming has always been a high-pressure industry, with fluctuating market prices, unpredictable weather, and intense physical demands, all of which can take a toll on farmers' mental health, especially in the aftermath of the budget.
This is a difficult time for many. I want to take this opportunity to reassure you that we alongside many other organisations are working hard behind the scenes to help protect rural businesses.
With a long winter ahead and these additional worries, please feel free to call your local CLA office on 01785 337010 for advice.
by Sophie Dwerryhouse – CLA Midlands regional Director
Want to know who you can talk to in the Midlands region?
The Farming Community Network. Find out more here: https://fcn.org.uk/
The Addington Fund. Find out more here: https://www.addingtonfund.org.uk/
Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) – Offer practical, financial and emotional support to farming people. Find out more: https://rabi.org.uk/
Midlands Region
Cheshire and the Wirral - Cheshire Agricultural Chaplaincy. Find out more: https://www.agchap.com/
Derbyshire - Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy. Find out more: https://derbyshireruralchaplaincy.org.uk/
The Peak District - The Farming life Centre. Find out more: https://thefarminglifecentre.org.uk/
Herefordshire – Borderlands Rural Chaplaincy. Find out more: https://www.borderchaplain.org/
Herefordshire – Herefordshire Rural Hub. Find out more: https://herefordshireruralhub.co.uk/
Shropshire – Shropshire Rural Support. Find out more: https://shropshireruralsupport.org.uk/
Warwickshire – Warwickshire Rural Hub. Find out more: https://www.ruralhub.org.uk/
