In the autumn budget the chancellor announced changes to inheritance tax reliefs. From April 2026, taxes would apply to agricultural assets over £1mn (or up to £3mn in certain circumstances). The government has said this would just affect the wealthiest landowners and disincentivise buying agricultural land to avoid tax. Farming groups have argued the policy is a threat to the future of family farming and the UK's food security.
Rural areas and communities face a number of challenges compared to urban areas. These include transport difficulties, less choice over services, education and employment, and poor broadband or mobile phone coverage. Some surveys have suggested that many people, particularly younger people, are considering leaving rural communities as a result. This briefing summarises some of these challenges and the government policies seeking to address them.
The Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill which would create a new requirement for public bodies specified in the bill to contribute towards meeting environmental targets established under the Climate Change Act 2008 and the Environment Act 2021. This would include requirements to contribute towards the UK’s target to meet net zero greenhouse gas emissions, improve the UK’s biodiversity and reduce pollution and waste.
![Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 15(Rev) of 2024–25](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Environment.png)
In Focus
Farmers can help flood prevention. In England, farmers can receive payments for carrying out farming activities that support flood preparedness. The government also provides financial support to farmers impacted by severe flooding. A new Flood Resilience Taskforce has been launched to coordinate flooding preparation, as well as a Rural Flood Resilience Partnership to help farmers and rural communities build resilience to future flooding.
In Focus
In recent years, concerns have been raised about declining populations of Atlantic salmon, with work taking place to address this issue. This briefing provides a summary of this policy area. It has been prepared ahead of Lord Forsyth of Drumlean’s (Conservative) 12 September 2024 debate on what steps the government is taking to protect Atlantic salmon populations.
In Focus
In 2022, the Conservative UK government joined an international agreement committing it to restoring 30% of the UK’s land and sea by 2030. The new Labour government has also committed to this “30 by 30” target. In 2023, the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee reported that the UK was not on course to meet this target and offered several recommendations to the government on how this could be addressed.
Research Briefing
Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering energy security, net zero, the environment and agriculture for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
Research Briefing
The Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative). It would provide for the extension of the maximum lease available to the Zoological Society of London for land in Regent’s Park used by London Zoo. The House of Commons has passed the bill and it has cross-party support. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 10 May 2024.
Research Briefing
The Pet Abduction Bill is a House of Commons private member’s bill. It would create two new offences of dog and cat abduction, and give ministers powers to create similar offences for other pet species. It has government and cross-party support.
In Focus
In a report published in November 2023 the House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee highlighted the importance of the horticultural sector to the UK. The report detailed impacts of the sector on the economy, food supply, wellbeing and net zero ambitions. However, it said the industry faced a number of challenges and was not being given the attention or support it deserved. The committee’s report listed 93 recommendations for the government to help the sector meet these challenges and realise its potential.
In Focus
Only 14% of rivers in England have a good ecological status and none have a good chemical status. Agriculture, wastewater and diffuse urban pollution are the main sources of pollution affecting water bodies in England. In recent years, the failure of water companies to prevent sewage discharges has attracted attention, and questions have been asked about whether the government and bodies such as Ofwat and the Environment Agency are doing enough to regulate water companies and enforce environmental law.
Research Briefing
The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill would end the export of certain animals for fattening and slaughter from and through England, Wales and Scotland. Campaigns have highlighted the suffering of animals on long journeys, and it is a government manifesto commitment to end the practice. The bill passed through the House of Commons unamended. The second reading of the bill in the House of Lords is scheduled to take place on 21 February 2024.
In Focus
The government is part way through the implementation of the environmental land management scheme in England. This replaces the system of financial support established during the UK’s membership of the EU common agricultural policy. This briefing considers how this scheme has been implemented, including recently announced changes. It also considers how support for biodiversity and the control of certain invasive species is provided through the environmental land management scheme.
In Focus
Agricultural fungicides are pesticides which are used to prevent or control plant disease caused by fungi. They can help ensure food availability, affordability and safety. However, they can also have negative environmental effects and exposure to chemical pesticides has been linked to a higher risk of chronic disease in humans. The government is due to publish a revised national action plan on the sustainable use of pesticides by the end of 2023.
In Focus
After announcing it would not be progressing the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, first introduced in the 2021–22 session, the government has committed to take animal welfare measures forward as single bills, including proposals on pet abduction. The government also intends to use secondary legislation to end the keeping of primates as pets and ban American XL bully dogs. On the natural environment, consultations are being held on hedgerows and water quality.
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