So at last we are finally seeing some signs of Spring, but it follows a period of weather where practically every farm in the country has been affected in one way or another whether through waterlogged fields, damaged crops, little if any grass growth, or the horrendous effects of the snow storms in Mid and North Wales. The snow in particular has left many farmers battered and bruised with stock losses and huge feed bills that will affect the viability of their businesses for months if not years to come. However farming is an industry where nothing stands still and planting and lambing for example are in full flow.
Many businesses, particularly those in agricultural sector, are run by parents with the assistance of their children; this is often on the understanding that, on the death or retirement of the parents, the management of the business will be handed down to their children. More often than not, those children will already be playing a central role in the running of the business.
The last 6 weeks has been an awful time for farmers across mid and north Wales, digging dead livestock out as the snow drifts as Arctic winds wreak havoc. When the same time in 2012 sheep cattle and ponies were sheltering under trees and in the shade of stone walls to avoid some of the effects of the heatwave! Mother Nature has decided yet again to remind everybody that she's in control!
The number of us that will need long term care in a nursing home or residential home is on the increase. This stage of life can be fraught with difficulties and for the farming family there is an added problem for Agricultural Property Relief (APR).
By Beverley Jones On Wednesday, 20th February 2013
The current Inheritance Tax threshold of £325,000 in the UK will now remain frozen until 2019. This threshold was already frozen at £325,000 until 2015 but now George Osborne has announced that previous plans to increase the threshold have been scrapped and it will remain the same for at least a further four years.
Love them or hate them – it seems that wind turbines are here to stay. The Farmers Guardian recently reported that wind power expert Mark Newton believes every farm in the UK will have a wind turbine in five years’ time. Despite much opposition over recent years the wind power industry is growing rapidly and more and more farmers are looking at the opportunities that turbines can create.
Luke Welsh, Employment Solicitor at JCP, discusses the introduction of fees within the Employment Tribunal system, due to be implemented in Summer 2013.
Would you like to take advantage of our free 15 minute employment contracts review? Employment law is one of the fastest changing areas of UK law. A continuous stream of new legislation and developments make it difficult for employers to keep up to date. That’s our job!
Despite the government’s plans to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board, it currently remains in place, and as such, minimum wages for those employed in agriculture in England and Wales are due to rise from 1st October 2012.
Pay under the Agricultural Wages Board is more complex than the National Minimum Wage (which is also due to increase today) and is dependent upon gradings that are based on the responsibilities and qualifications of the employee.
By Michael Williams On Wednesday, 29th August 2012
Many of our Rural Practice clients may be all too aware of the increasing media attention afforded to the topic of energy projects, both renewable and non-renewable.
