Green shoots? Burnham cultivates rural links in attempt to ‘build back trust’ with farmers

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Published: 2026-09-26T11:45:35.474Z • Permanent link

Ministers from the UK government have been engaging with farming activists to mend the strained relationship between the two parties, stemming from the tax changes introduced by Keir Starmer's Labour Party. The move comes after the government faced criticism from farming groups over the new tax regime, which they claim will disproportionately affect small-scale farmers. Olly Harrison, an arable farmer, is among those who have been contacted by ministers to discuss their concerns. Harrison's WhatsApp messages, which were leaked to the press, revealed the extent of his dissatisfaction with the tax changes, which he believes will leave him with little room for profit. The government's attempts to build bridges with farming groups are seen as a bid to maintain public support for the tax regime, which is part of the government's broader agenda to 'build back trust' with the rural community.

Key figures involved in the talks include Agriculture Minister, Victoria Prentis, who has been meeting with farming groups to address their concerns. The government has also established a task force to review the tax regime and consider farmers' suggestions. Meanwhile, the Farmers for Climate Action, a prominent farming group, has welcomed the government's efforts to engage with them. However, the group's leader, Emma Taylor, has expressed skepticism about the government's commitment to addressing farmers' concerns. The talks come as the UK government faces increasing pressure from farming groups over issues such as Brexit and trade agreements. The outcome of the talks remains uncertain, but the government's willingness to engage with farming groups is seen as a positive step towards finding a solution.

Farmers in the UK are also expressing concerns over the impact of the tax regime on their livelihoods. Many are worried that the changes will leave them with little room for investment, making it difficult for them to modernize their operations and adapt to changing market conditions. The government has argued that the tax regime is necessary to raise revenue for the government's budget, but farmers are concerned that the impact will be felt disproportionately by small-scale farmers. As the talks between the government and farming groups continue, it remains to be seen whether a mutually beneficial agreement can be reached.

The UK government's efforts to engage with farming groups over the tax regime have significant implications for the Data Sources domain. Companies such as John Deere and AGCO, which supply farming equipment to UK farmers, are likely to be affected by the outcome of the talks. The tax regime has already led to a decline in sales for these companies, and any changes to the regime could have a significant impact on their bottom line. Research communities studying the impact of climate change on agriculture are also likely to be interested in the outcome of the talks, as it could provide valuable insights into the effects of policy changes on farming practices. The market for farming equipment is also likely to be affected, with companies such as Deere and AGCO likely to adjust their production plans in response to changes in demand.

The outcome of the talks also has implications for the broader policy environment. The UK government's 'build back trust' agenda, which includes efforts to engage with farming groups, is seen as a bid to address the mistrust that has built up between the government and the rural community. The success of this initiative could have implications for other policy areas, such as agriculture and trade. If the government is able to build trust with farming groups, it could pave the way for more effective policy-making in these areas.

The UK government's efforts to engage with farming groups over the tax regime are part of a larger pattern of policy-making that is shaped by competing approaches to agriculture and the environment. The government's 'build back trust' agenda is seen as a response to the mistrust that has built up between the government and the rural community, which has been fueled by issues such as Brexit and climate change. This approach is in contrast to the 'big ask' approach, which has been advocated by some farming groups, which calls for more radical changes to the tax regime and other policy areas. The outcome of the talks between the government and farming groups will depend on the ability of the government to balance competing interests and find a solution that works for all parties involved.