December 04, 2025

04/12/25 Inheritance Tax, Drought, Cider

13 minutes

A group of Labour MPs with rural consitituancies have urged the Government to think again on Inheritance Tax Changes, with some abstaining on a Commons vote on the issue earlier this week. This is the ongoing row over the Government's plan to re-impose inheritance tax on farming and business assets over a million pounds, which was introduced in last year's budget and is due to take effect from April next year. Ministers insist the plan is fair and say its time to move on.

The cost to arable farmers of this year's summer drought has been estimated to be £828 million. The think tank the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit says farmers will lose the income as a result of what it says is the second worst UK harvest on record, where crops were hit by a very hot spring and summer as well as the resulting lack of water.

A pioneering project to help the crews on fishing boats manage the unpredictability of their earnings has been launched in Cornwall. Weather conditions, fuel prices and market demand can mean that one week crews will earn, but the next they won't, making budgeting tricky. Citizens Advice Cornwall says its led to problems - which is why, along with other local groups, it's set up Net Savings, a government backed collaboration to help fishing crews with financial advice.

And as part of our week-long look at winter jobs on farm, we meet a cider apple farmer who'll be tending his trees throughout the season.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Sally Challoner.

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