51AVÊÓÆµ

Farmers 'pushed to the edge' as business closures spiral following Autumn Budget

The farming sector has warned it now faces an uphill battle for survival

Chris Brayford
clock • 4 min read
Staffordshire farmer Clive Bailye said: "Many will simply not survive, investment is pointless, growth is pointless - survival is a result right now."
Image:

Staffordshire farmer Clive Bailye said: "Many will simply not survive, investment is pointless, growth is pointless - survival is a result right now."

More than 6,000 farm businesses have closed in the past year since Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party won the General Election, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Publishing the...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

Ìý

More on Politics

What do the Inheritance Tax changes mean for farming families?

What do the Inheritance Tax changes mean for farming families?

Rowena Ridgway, wills, trusts and tax partner at Aaron & Partners discusses the impact

clock 06 April 2026 • 3 min read
Fertiliser and carbon taxes a threat to food security in the UK

Fertiliser and carbon taxes a threat to food security in the UK

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said she will abolish Labour's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism if the Tories win the next General Election, adding it will place significant pressure on farming businesses which rely on fertiliser

Chris Brayford
clock 05 April 2026 • 6 min read
Rural Labour MPs ramp up pressure on Gov to level the playing field for British farmers

Rural Labour MPs ramp up pressure on Gov to level the playing field for British farmers

To kickstart its Spring Push campaign on farming profitability, the Labour Rural Research Group wants the Gov to introduce honest labelling on country of origin food, to tackle unfair supermarket practices, and to protect farmers in trade deals from cheap imports

Chris Brayford
clock 05 April 2026 • 5 min read