'I'd love to see something that gives us some aspiration back' in Autumn Budget, says Herefordshire farmer
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to announce the Autumn Budget later today (26 November)
A Herefordshire farmer has said he wants to see today's Autumn Budget bring some 'positivity' back to the farming community.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is to deliver her second one in the role since Labour won last year's general election later today,
In last year's one the government announced changes to inheritance tax on agricultural properties in it, which are due to come in from April 2026.
On the changes, a government spokesperson said: "Our reforms to Agricultural and Business Property Relief will safeguard public services while keeping inheritance tax fair – with three quarters of estates paying nothing, and the rest paying half the usual rate, spread over 10 years interest‑free.”
Martin Williams, who's also the National Farmers Union's county chair for Herefordshire, said those changes are continuing to have an impact on the farming community and is hoping for a more positive one this time around.
"I'd love to see something that gives us some aspiration back, the previous budget has given us nothing but sort of doom and gloom," he said.
"From an industry focus, we have to be given the tools of government to enable us to aspire to do better, to aspire to contribute, and unfortunately over the past 12 months that hasn't been the case.
"So from this budget it would be great to see some little tweaks to whether to turn that corner."
The government announced a 'multi-year funding commitment' to farming in this year's Spending Review, with more than £2.7 billion being invested in sustainable farming and nature recovery a year from 2026/27 to 2028/29.
A government spokesperson said: "We are backing farmers with the largest nature‑friendly budget in history with over £2.7 billion a year to grow their businesses, put more British food on our plates, and restore nature.
“Our New Deal for Farmers is already delivering: extending the Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme, protecting British produce in trade deals, investing hundreds of millions in grants and biosecurity, and driving fairer supply chains."