Economy

This week's opinion from throughout the world of agriculture: Chris Clark, first generation Yorkshire upland farmer and author

Columbia University professor Joseph Stiglitz has said the UK has been 'taken for a ride' by US President Donald Trump in the recently announced trade deal

Heathrow expansion dominates agenda as Reeves insists Budget's fiscal rules are ‘non-negotiable and will be met'

This week's opinion from throughout the world of agriculture: Oxford Real Farming Conference manager, Hester van Hensbergen

Amid growing unrest from farmers over a proposed Inheritance Tax announced in Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Autumn Budget, the Defra Secretary has faced pressure for the number of farms he has visited since July 5

"We are calling on the Chancellor to meet and run a formal consultation, to find a solution that will protect the long-term interests of family businesses and farms and, crucially the jobs and investment they provide"

The Office for National Statistics said GDP fell 0.1% in October 2024. Services showed 'no growth', while Production (-0.6%) and construction (-0.4%) both fell.

First Minister John Swinney said his Government would return the £46 million taken away from the agriculture Budget in previous years but could not guarantee a commitment to longer-term funding due to only having 'information' for one financial year

"The unequivocal case for an increased, ring-fenced and multi-annual UK farming budget was made clear once again"