07/03/24 Spring budget and farming communities: Lambing

The government's spring budget is getting a lukewarm response from many in rural communities - with more discussion of what wasn't in it, than what was. The NFU said it didn't go far enough to offer stability for agricultural businesses, growth in food production and decarbonising the sector. Friends of the Earth described it as: 'yet another missed opportunity to properly invest in building a strong, clean and prosperous future.' The Tenant Farmers Association said it was 'bitterly disappointed' that inheritance tax relief on farms hadn't been restricted only to those renting land out on a long term basis. While the Country Land and Business Association welcomed the extension of tax relief to land in environmental schemes, it said changes on taxing short term lets risked squeezing and stifling rural businesses.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said it was all about long term growth and encouraging people back to work. We speak to Green Bank, Action on Communities in Rural England and a fruit grower to find out what they thought. We've been looking at lambing this week, and for those of us not involved it's a lovely time of spring, new life and hope. The reality on farms, particularly ones which rely on family labour is that lambing season is a test of endurance. We visit a sheep farmer near Exeter, who's nearly made it through the season. Presenter = Charlotte Smith

Producer = Rebecca Rooney