Emergency government meeting held over high temperature amid ‘strain on public finances’ Economics The government will hold an emergency meeting to discuss the country’s response to this summer’s high temperatures and drought amid fears that it will add a “strain” on the public finances. Prime Minister Andy Burnham will chair the ‘Cobra’ meeting of ministers overseeing health, water, housing and local government, as well as officials from agencies [...]
Firms scramble to keep up as the UK prepares to align with EU food standards Politics Fans of Clarkson’s Farm will know that, for British farmers, dealing with the EU presents an endless stream of headaches and paperwork. But things are changing fast – too fast, many worry – in the UK’s complex web of food production, and farmers and manufacturers are scrambling to meet changes in legislation coming down the [...]
Investors eye farming as AI’s latest cash cow Tech A startup fitting livestock with AI-powered collars is closing in on a $2bn valuation, as investors turn their attention to a less obvious frontier for AI. New Zealand-based Halter is in talks to raise fresh funding led by Founders Fund, the Silicon Valley firm backed by Peter Thiel. The round is understood to be heavily [...]
The last harvest? How tax changes are impacting British farming September 8, 2025 Britain's food security hangs in the balance as agricultural land is lost to pay inheritance tax bills, writes Sarah Jordan.
Agritech firm Vertical Future put up for sale on insolvency marketplace after losses widen July 30, 2025 One of Britain’s biggest vertical farming businesses has been put up for sale on an insolvency marketplace after reporting widening losses, City AM can reveal. London-based Vertical Future, which has raised more than £37m in capital since it was founded in 2016, saw its losses surpass £10m in 2024 after turnover tumbled from £6.7m to [...]
UK agri-tech bags Kiwi investment boost April 24, 2025 The UK government has welcomed a strategic investment push from New Zealand into Britain’s agri-tech sector. AgriZero NZ, a public-private fund backed by the Kiwi government and major agri-businesses, joins Innovate UK’s investor partnership programme. The scheme helps scale cutting-edge British agri-tech startups linking them with global investors. Science minister Patrick Vallance told CityAM: “New [...]
Inheritance tax on farms: Lidl, Tesco and Aldi join demands for consultation January 22, 2025 Supermarkets Lidl, Tesco and Aldi have added their names to calls for a consultation over the government’s reforms to inheritance tax, citing concerns the changes would dent farmer confidence and choke off investment. In an unusual string of interventions, the retailers rode to the defence of farmers’ calls to pause the changes to Agricultural Property [...]
Inheritance changes for farmers ‘risks missing the target’ on tax avoidance November 25, 2024 "The Budget proposal doesn’t go far enough to stop avoidance, but goes too far in how it applies to actual farms," Dan Niedle, founder of the think tank said
Sigmaroc’s revenue surges ahead of expectations as expansion plan pays off September 9, 2024 London-listed raw materials group Sigmaroc has seen its revenue surge past expectations following a push to diversify its strategy, it said today. The company, which is headquartered in London, grew its revenue by 60 per cent in six months ending June 30, 2024, hitting £468.8m from £290m in the same period last year. Sigmaroc said this [...]
John Deere’s UK profit triples as sales soar by almost £100m July 9, 2024 The UK arm of John Deere tractors has almost tripled its profit as demand soared for its iconic green farm machinery, according to newly-filed documents.