Countryside Alliance✓

An unprecedented range of government policies over the past two years have left rural people feeling under attack. If political leaders want to speak for all parts of the country, they have to hear the countryside too. Now is the time for a rural reset:

This Budget offered the Chancellor the chance to reset its relationship with the countryside. However, he showed little interest in seizing that opportunity. 💠Extending small business rates relief could help rural businesses, but coupled with hikes in employment costs it remains to be seen whether hardworking rural business owners will see any real benefit. 💠While temporarily extending the red diesel duty cut and suspending tariffs on kerosene heating oil and fertiliser are welcome moves, it will come as little solace to farmers still facing enormous threats to their livelihoods. 💠At a time when the government should be increasing support for farmers and in the wake of last month’s Sustainable Farming Incentive fiasco, it has slashed DEFRA's funding for 2027-28 by £100m. 💠Before becoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham pledged to revisit the hated Family Farm Tax. He has failed to do so, and this tax continues to tarnish the government’s rural record. This Budget does little to give “breathing space” or fresh hope for the countryside. If this government is serious about growth in every postcode, including in the countryside, it must urgently address the plethora of problems facing rural businesses. #Budget2026 #FamilyFarmTax #RuralEconomy

RT @ScotCountryside: Following on from yesterday's budget announcement, where the CA had 10 asks for John Healey and Andy Burnham, from the family farm tax to VAT on heating oil ➡️ hear what Jake had to say about the budget. #Budget2026

RT @mometfisher: Last night, while the Chancellor showed off his pint chugging skills to an adoring pack of political anoraks in London, rural organisations busily scoured through his 166-page Budget. The overwhelming conclusion, I’m disappointed to report, is that he missed a golden opportunity to reset the government’s fractured relationship with the countryside. Me for @Daily_Express ⬇️

Shooting needs you. Respond to the government's survey by this Sunday 1 November to help save it from a ban and licensing regime. 🚨 Respond here: View our guidance:

RT @CA_TimB: The Chancellor delivered just 1 of 10 of the countryside’s Budget asks.

Shooting faces the biggest threat in a generation. The government is considering licensing it - to do that they must first ban it. Respond to their survey before 1 Nov to make the case for the future of shooting ⬇️ Read our guidance on how to respond here:

RT @mometfisher: Andy Burnham pledged to revisit the hated Family Farm Tax. He has failed to do so. This tax continues to tarnish the government’s rural record. We will continue to vocally oppose this tax and call for its abolition.

Our response today’s Budget.

RT @mometfisher: This Budget offered the Chancellor the opportunity to reset its relationship with the countryside. Today, however, he showed little interest in seizing that chance.   Extending small business rates relief could help rural businesses, but coupled with hikes in employment costs it remains to be seen whether hardworking rural business owners will see any real benefit. Additionally, while temporarily extending the red diesel duty cut and suspending tariffs on kerosene heating oil and fertiliser are welcome moves, it will come as little solace to farmers still facing enormous threats to their livelihoods.   Before becoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham pledged to revisit the hated Family Farm Tax. He has failed to do so. This tax continues to tarnish the government’s rural record. It is preventing farmers from making important decisions about their livelihoods, hampering the government’s own mission of creating good growth in every postcode. Working with the custodians of our countryside, we will continue to vocally oppose this tax and call for its abolition.   Additionally, farmers have been encouraged for years to diversify their businesses by creating holiday lets, among other measures; but anyone who has done so is now being punished by yet another increase to the property income tax paid on such lets, further threatening the viability of their business.   At a time when the government should be increasing support for farmers and in the wake of last month’s Sustainable Farming Incentive fiasco, it has slashed DEFRA's funding for 2027-28 by £100m.   This Budget does little to give “breathing space” or fresh hope for the countryside. If this government is serious about growth in every postcode, including in the countryside, it must urgently address the plethora of problems facing rural businesses. Scrapping the Family Farm Tax is the only way to turn a new leaf. @CAupdates

RT @mometfisher: Good to see the amazing efforts of rural people recognised during the recent wildfires. An important reminder. Their assistance is vital to emergency services. Well done everybody involved.

RT @mometfisher: Gherkins are great but pubs need help in tomorrow’s Budget too.

New analysis from the Countryside Alliance shows that rural people pay almost £500 more a year on petrol than people living in towns and cities.

A working pickup is a tool of the trade. Farmers, gamekeepers, builders and rural contractors depend on double-cab pickups. Reclassifying them as cars rather than commercial vans for tax purposes fails to recognise their role in rural work. This Budget, it’s time for a rural reset. Write to the Prime Minister asking for a rural reset:

RT @mometfisher: The Budget is an opportunity for the government to repair its relationship with the countryside. Here’s what John Healey can do ⬇️

Racing is under threat.

A new Chancellor with a chance for a rural reset. We have written to @JohnHealey_MP with 10 Budget asks, from the family farm tax to VAT on heating oil. @AndyBurnhamGM, good growth in every postcode starts here. Our 10 asks ➡️

RT @CA_TimB: “Rural residents have to drive further and pay more for every litre, which is why they are spending nearly £500 a year more than people in towns and cities” me in @TheSun as Treasury signals fuel duty freeze

In the countryside, driving is a necessity. Rural residents and businesses cannot always rely on public transport. Rising fuel costs hit household budgets, jobs and local businesses. This Budget, it’s time for a rural reset. Write to the Prime Minister asking for a rural reset -

Protect British racing and the rural economy behind it. Betting turnover on British racing has fallen by 19% since 2022/23. The government must work with the industry to reform the Horserace Betting Levy and ensure affordability checks are proportionate. This Budget, it’s time for a rural reset. Write to the Prime Minister asking for a rural reset:

"The new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, says that he wants growth in every postcode. Well, he is not going to achieve that by crippling perhaps the third biggest business in the countryside after farming and tourism." Read more: