Prime Minister Unveils £65 Million Drought Relief for Farmers Amidst Crisis
New funding targets extreme heat impacts and on-farm reservoirs as agricultural sector faces record challenges and wildfires.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
The Prime Minister announced a £65 million funding package to address drought and extreme heat issues impacting British agriculture.
The driest July on record across England and Wales has intensified the crisis for farmers, prompting the National Drought Group to recommend early drought permit submissions from water companies.
These permits would allow companies to refill reservoirs as soon as possible.
Andy Burnham acknowledged the deep-seated issues, stating, "I realise we’ve got a long way to go to build back trust with the farming community across the country."
I think it’s probably been the hardest summer for British farming in a generation.
He further described the period as exceptionally difficult, remarking, "I think it’s probably been the hardest summer for British farming in a generation."
The Prime Minister asserts that farmers should not bear the risks of a changing climate alone.
Agricultural workers struggle with escalating fuel and fertiliser costs, alongside difficulties accessing the government's Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme.
The NFU has called for continued improvement to local Environment Agency communications, demanding clear, timely information on water levels and restrictions.
The extreme weather's visible impact includes widespread wildfires, with firefighters currently tackling blazes in the West Midlands.
In Wales, soldiers and an army helicopter have deployed to support fire crews battling these uncontrolled fires.
Farmer Colin Rayner reported his Windsor farm suffered three major fires on a single day.
Rayner claimed the Prime Minister's intervention was "too late" and expressed "no confidence" in his leadership.
He further asserted that environmentalists contribute to the wildfires, stating, "A lot of the reason we have these wildfires out of control is because of the environmentalists."
Rayner claimed that mandated 10-metre grass strips around fields, intended by environmentalists, create "tinderbox grass next to people's houses."
Farmer Gareth Wyn Jones reported losing land to wildfires and having to carry water to his animals.
Despite these hardships, Gareth Wyn Jones noted the general public has been supportive of farmers.
The Prime Minister visited a family-run potato farm near Truro, Cornwall, affected by the drought, where he met with NFU president Tom Bradshaw.
The government previously planned to impose inheritance tax on farmers' business assets above £1 million but reportedly raised the threshold to £2.5 million.