civil service

Farmers Guardian's chief reporter Rachael Brown reflects on the multiple reviews and consultations going on in Defra right now, and questions whether the department has the resource and budget to deliver effective change

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown unpicks the Chancellor's Spring Statement after she stood firm on the family farm tax, Defra Secretary has only visited 4 farms since Labour's General Election, with his ministers for flood and nature not visiting any, and livestock farmers are being encouraged to sign up for free vet visits through the TB Advisory Service (TBAS) before the service’s funding ends

While Ms Reeves was quick to quell any rumoured tax rises, she did not back down on the measures introduced in the Autumn Budget, including the family farm tax

RPA chief executive Paul Caldwell said he leaves the agency in a 'great position' to further maximise grant-making and deliver for its customers

With increased workloads putting extra pressure on civil servants, Rachael Brown spoke to employees about calls for a four-day week trial