UK Government Launches £350 Million Investment in British Farming

The UK government has announced a £343 million investment in the rural economy, supporting more than 31,000 farmers across the country. The December 2024 funding package forms part of the government’s broader £5 billion farming budget, aimed at strengthening British food security and sustainable agriculture.

Investment Breakdown

The December allocation distributes £223 million to Countryside Stewardship revenue customers and £74 million to Environmental Stewardship programs. Additional funding includes £39 million for Sustainable Farming Incentive payments and £7.4 million for Capital Grants projects.

The Environment Secretary Steve Reed says that the commitment to farmers is steadfast:

This Government is working hard to get money into farmers’ bank accounts while announcing how farmers can benefit from the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme.

New Support Programs

Starting in 2025, the government will introduce an improved Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) scheme. Key features include:

• Quarterly payments for improved cash flow
• Year-round application windows
• New flood resilience measures
• Enhanced funding for Sites of Special Scientific Interest
• Additional support for species protection

Rural Payments Agency Chief Executive Paul Caldwell notes the significance of the funding:

RPA remains focused on supporting farmers by getting payments into bank accounts as quickly as possible. This December we have been able to inject more funding than ever from environmental schemes into the rural economy.

Long-term Planning

The investment package introduces several long-term initiatives:

• A new British Infrastructure Council to guide private investment in rural areas
• Improved broadband access for rural communities
• A 25-year farming roadmap focusing on sector profitability
• Additional Sustainable Farming Incentive actions, available from summer 2025

Environmental Focus

The funding supports the government’s Environmental Land Management goals, recognizing farmers’ roles in both food production and environmental protection. New measures will particularly benefit grassland, heritage, and coastal sites.

This investment marks a significant step in the government’s agricultural policy, combining support for traditional farming with environmental stewardship. For British farmers, it provides both immediate financial support and longer-term planning opportunities as they adapt to changing agricultural needs and environmental requirements.

The CSHT scheme will begin with a controlled rollout, with initial applications by invitation on a monthly basis. This approach aims to ensure proper support and guidance for all participants as they access the new funding opportunities.
More in the gov.uk press release.