dw@hawsons.co.uk What is a farm partnership and why does structure matter? A farm partnership is a common structure for family-run farms in the UK. A farming partnership agreement sets out who owns the land, how profits are shared and what happens when circumstances...
dw@hawsons.co.uk Still only checking your books at year-end? When we speak to farming clients, there’s a pattern we see time and again. Most farms still only look at their accounts once a year, usually around tax time. Bookkeeping is something that gets done late at...
dw@hawsons.co.uk You’ve worked hard to build something lasting. Don’t let VAT mistakes catch you out. It all starts with a small decision… You’ve just put up a new grain store. The builders have finished, you’ve got the invoice in your hand, and you’re...
On 11 June 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered a landmark Spending Review, where she pledged to increase departmental spending by 2.3% per year in real terms. An additional £190 billion is to be allocated to public services, sectors such as healthcare, transport...
We have contributed to a report on The Real Impact of the 2024 Autumn Budget IHT Announcements. This report was put together by the Rural Accountancy Group (RAG) in which includes 10 accountancy firms across England and Scotland who specialise in farming, estates and...
Due to a surge in applications Defra has taken the decision to pause offers for the capital grant scheme. This has led to some frustration from farmers who have been waiting for three months in some cases for Defra to come back to them regarding their application....
Many farm owners are self-employed and do not need to employ any staff. However, in some cases many farmers come to a point where they need to employ staff to cope with the high volume of work. Therefore, if you are employing staff for the first time you will need to...
Farmers are increasingly seeking ways to stabilise their farm income and ensure the sustainability of their agricultural businesses. Farm diverification is one strategy farmers are using to achieve this. Diversifying a farming business involves branching out into new...
Have you thought about succession and the long-term plans for your family farm? As agriculture makes up the highest concentration of family businesses passed through the generations, it is no surprise that succession is a key issue and is something farmers need to...
Government initiatives often shape the landscape of various sectors, and agriculture is no exception. Recent developments in the UK's environmental policies are set to bring significant changes to agricultural property relief (APR). Background In 2023, the UK...
After concerns were raised by food and farming organisations, DEFRA has decided to provide more transparency on how the agriculture budget for England is spent. On 18th September DEFRA published its Food Farming and Countryside Programme annual report for the 2022-23...
In September, the Environment Agency and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs announced a new £25 million flood management scheme as part of their Natural flood management programme. This (ring-fenced) funding is being provided by the government and...