Written questions by Stuart.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of inheritance tax policy on the viability and succession of family farming businesses, in light of the findings of the Farming Profitability Review.

Following the reforms to inheritance tax announced at Budget 2024, we have engaged with the farming community and businesses. Having carefully considered this feedback, we are going further to protect more farms and businesses, while maintaining the core principle that the most valuable agricultural and business assets should not receive unlimited relief. The allowance for 100% rate of relief will be increased from £1 million to £2.5 million when it is introduced in April 2026. This means a couple will now be able to pass on up to £5 million tax-free between them, on top of existing allowances such as the nil rate band. Raising the threshold will significantly reduce the number of farms and business owners facing higher inheritance tax bills under the reforms, ensuring only the largest estates are affected. This gets the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support farmers.

This Government is investing £11.8 billion into sustainable food production and nature’s recovery, with funding for Environmental Land Management schemes increasing by 150% by 2028/29. There are currently record numbers of farmers in the schemes, with more money being spent through these schemes than ever before.

Food and Rural Affairs, when his Department plans to pay the second phase of grants under the Farming Recovery Fund to farmers affected by flooding in Beverley and Holderness constituency.

We are aware of the ongoing challenges farmers have been facing following the winter storms and the wet weather in late 2023 and early 2024. We are committed to maintaining food production and supporting thriving farm businesses as well as protecting communities from flooding. All spending commitments will be confirmed in the spending review. This includes the Farming Recovery Fund, more information on the expanded Farming Recovery Fund will be made available soon.

Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to approve Tranche 2 funding for Asset Repair and Improvement.

Protecting communities from flooding is a key priority for this Government, and that is why we have launched a Flood Resilience Taskforce. It will provide oversight of national and local flood resilience and preparedness ahead of and after the winter flood season. It met for the first time on 12 September to discuss preparation for the winter ahead. The Internal Drainage Board (IDB) Fund will support our farmers and rural communities from the impacts of flooding by providing grants to IDBs. The Environment Agency has confirmed Tranche 1 allocations, which provides financial support for storm recovery following the wet weather and flooding during winter 2023/24. They are in the process of making payments to the successful IDBs. We will update the IDBs on Tranche 2 in due course.