Latest Agriculture

UK company size thresholds are set to increase, but what does this change for you?   In his recent economic speech on 18th March 2024, Rishi Sunak unveiled significant changes aimed at simplifying reporting requirements for businesses. Among these measures, he announced an increase in the thresholds used to determine company size.   Understanding Company…

Our Whitings 2024 Annual Farming Seminar is just around the corner.   Farming always has to cope with changing environment, weather, commodity prices, political changes, etc. This year these challenges feel heightened and this is why we are pleased to welcome back speakers from the Andersons Centre to inform us of these changes and what…

Earlier this week, DEFRA added the closing dates for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF).   If you’re a farmer, horticulturist, forestry owner or contractor to the any of the aforementioned, and you’re looking to improve productivity, manage slurry or improve animal health and welfare through the use of new technology and equipment, don’t…

Let’s ask the question, ‘How is the government supporting farmers?’   DEFRA shared a press release from the Prime Minister yesterday, citing his and his party’s commitment to farmers and rural communities.   We already know that Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship payments are being increased across the board by approximately 10%, but…

*An update on this has since been posted. Click here to read the updated information.*     The tax treatment of double-cab pick-up trucks is set to change with effect from 1st July 2024, and will see the vehicles lose their status as ‘commercial vehicles’ when it comes to company car taxation. This could see…

Over And Out   This will be the final Agricultural Newsletter produced during my tenure as Chair of our Farming Group and it would not be right if taxation was not considered in at least one contribution. Mike Blackledge provides for this with a review of the consequences of multiple rates of Corporation Tax where…

The Farming Industry has some marked differences is sick pay legislation, PAYE regulations don’t pay sick pay over the statutory daily rate currently standing at £21.88 per day and commencing from the 4th consecutive day of absence. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is payable for the first 28 weeks of sickness, after which the employee can…

Sticks and Carrots – No Change Then Over recent years farmers have been incentivised periodically to change their crop choices. We have had ‘yellow years’ as Oilseed Rape coloured our landscape and ‘blue years’ when Linseed was dominant. I suspect that ‘green years’ may be the next favoured colour and I’m not just thinking of…

With the UK tax system as complicated as ever, there are certain rules which we come across that can very easily give a particularly unexpected (and unpleasant) consequence. Income Tax When either parent has taxable earnings over £50k (after personal pension contributions), entitlement to child benefit is reduced. As higher rate income tax starts at…

As the online application process for the 2023 Basic Payment Scheme opens tomorrow, and the application process for Countryside Stewardship (Higher Tier) is already open, please find a summary of the key dates for agricultural subsidies below. Basic Payment Scheme: 14th March 2023 – applications open 15th May 2023 – applications close 9th June 2023…