Water companies in England ‘using loopholes’ to avoid paying for outages Ofwat CEO says rules must be changed so that customers left without water get compensation automatically The Guardian - UK · Nov 26, 2024
Mapped: The rural Labour MPs most at risk from farmer inheritance tax backlash The Tories could take advantage of farmers’ anger to regain dozens of seats lost to Labour in rural areas, as inheritance tax changes prompt fury The Independent UK · Nov 21, 2024
No hiding place for Labour’s farming minister as Whitehall teems with tweed and gumboots Farage cosplayed Mr Toad, Victoria Atkins troubled all fashion sense, but Steve Reed won the turnip for his flailing defence of inheritance tax changes The Guardian - UK · Nov 19, 2024
Farm inheritance tax: farmers cannot go green if they are in the red In villages across the country, irate farmers have accused the government of trying to end the tradition of the family farm by scrapping agricultural property relief, a measure which previously sheltered farms from having to pay inheritance tax on farmland. The Conversation · Nov 19, 2024
Government accused of ‘hammer blow’ to farmers as thousands protest in London Farmers flocked to Whitehall to protest against changes to inheritance tax and other measures in last month’s Budget. The Independent UK · Nov 19, 2024
England’s national parks facing financial peril due to budget cuts, say CEOs Leaders warn cost savings will lead to mass redundancies and that spaces could become ‘paper parks’ The Guardian - UK · Nov 19, 2024
NFU chief hints farmers could take more extreme action if government ignores inheritance tax protest More than 10,000 farmers descended on Westminster on Tuesday to urge the government to backtrack on the levy The Independent UK · Nov 19, 2024
Farmers Descend On London To Overturn Inheritance Tax Change British farmers massed in London on Tuesday for protests against controversial government plans to change inheritance tax rules for land ownership, which they claim threatens to break up the sector and hit food production. International Business Times · Nov 19, 2024
Farming protest ‘definitely’ on after ‘tough’ talks with minister – NFU head Tom Bradshaw said the demonstrations would leave an ‘indelible mark’ as farmers seek to lobby MPs to stand up against the Government’s plans. Evening Standard · Nov 18, 2024
Farmers set to protest over ‘completely unacceptable’ inheritance tax changes Government is insisting the introduction of inheritance tax on farm businesses worth more than £1m is ‘fair’ and closes a loophole. Evening Standard · Nov 18, 2024
Red squirrels ‘to vanish from England’ unless vaccine against squirrelpox funded Conservation group warns species threatened by exploding populations of grey squirrels who carry lethal virus The Guardian - UK · Nov 16, 2024
Rachel Reeves fightback to woo the City: I’ll ease banking regulations Chancellor pledges to lift banking regulations to boost growth as she launches fightback against criticism of her Budget The Independent UK · Nov 14, 2024
A dream day for Labour as opposition is reduced to noises off Reeves is untroubled by a financially illiterate Tory leader, while Starmer allows himself a minor celebration The Guardian - UK · Nov 14, 2024
Government defends farm tax changes as support for protests swells Farmers are planning a mass lobby of MPs and rally next week in Parliament. Evening Standard · Nov 14, 2024
The Guardian - UK · Nov 14, 2024 Farm income falls in England after extreme weather and subsidy cuts Defra data shows lower income for most farm types but small boost from payments for nature-friendly schemes
The Independent UK · Nov 14, 2024 Farm incomes plummeted by 50% in a year, official figures reveal as fears grow over ‘tractor tax’ Farm incomes are at their lowest since 2015/16, official figures indicate
The Independent UK · Nov 14, 2024 Confusion over how many farms will be hit by controversial tractor tax after ‘staggering’ admission Critics argue that Defra figures suggest Treasury claims that only 28 per cent of farms will be affected are wrong
Evening Standard · Nov 14, 2024 Minister rejects plea by London civil servants to work 4-four day week: 'We're not living in the 1970s' Pensions minister Emma Reynolds also dismissed claims that a shorter working week for civil servants would save the Government more than £20million
The Independent UK · Nov 13, 2024 Minister slaps down civil servants asking for four-day week: ‘This is not the 1970s’ The arrangement would more than halve staff turnover and free up money to hire an extra 2,345 workers, officials say
Evening Standard · Nov 13, 2024 Four-day week could save Government £21m a year, civil servants say The arrangement would more than halve staff turnover and free up money to hire an extra 2,345 workers, officials say.
The Guardian - UK · Nov 12, 2024 Wild bird numbers continue ‘alarming’ decline in UK, Defra figures show All bird species have declined in number, after suffering habitat loss, pesticide use, climate breakdown and bird flu
The Independent UK · Nov 9, 2024 Labour warned UK is facing ‘humanitarian crisis’ in farming as thousands march on London Farming leaders are urging Labour ministers to rethink plans to impose inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1m
The Guardian - UK · Nov 6, 2024 Bird flu outbreak confirmed at East Yorkshire poultry farm Defra says avian influenza confirmed at business in Hornsea, with a protection zone put in place around farm
Evening Standard · Nov 6, 2024 Bird flu confirmed on commercial poultry farm The outbreak in Yorkshire is the first case of the H5N5 strain in non-wild birds in England.
The Guardian - UK · Nov 4, 2024 NFU rejects Treasury claim that 72% of farms won’t pay inheritance tax Union says Defra figures show far more farmers will be hit by budget proposal and warns of ‘militant protest’ to come