James Cater (Kings Lynn)

  There is a new support programme, DRIVE, that can result in grants of up to 40% of total project costs for businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk that wish to undertake projects that primarily create new employment within the rural economy. Grants can be up to 40% of total project costs with a minimum grant…

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DEFRA have now issued the consultation document regarding the lump sum payment for exiting agriculture. Having listened to the NFU webinar concerning this it seems to me that the lump sum, whilst being attractive from a cash flow perspective, has little else too recommend it. Clearly we have a lot more to learn and in…

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Whitings Farming Group publish their half yearly commentary on what’s topical in the agriculture sector: Click Here (for edition 17) Blog Entry by: James Cater

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Following the publication of the Agriculture Act 2020 it is now clearer how subsidies to agriculture are going to change, with the first predominant feature being the running down of the Single Farm Payment regime. For farmers in parts of Norfolk and Suffolk there is opportunity to tender to participate in a £320,000 project to…

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While the Coronavirus pandemic holds our attention it is easy to overlook other changes taking place in its shadow. From 1 June 2020 new electrical safety regulations have come into force which apply to all new lettings of dwellings; from 1 July 2020 (tomorrow!) the regulations will be extended to cover all existing lettings of…

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Although some sectors of agriculture are weathering the coronavirus storm quite well for others there are serious issues. For those whose cash-flow has been particularly impacted and who have loans or rent, land or buildings from SSAS or SIPP pension schemes a recent announcement from HM Revenue & Customs may offer some help:-   HMRC…

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Britain’s withdrawal from the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) means British farmers will no longer be able to receive EU subsidies and will not have to comply with a number of regulations. Agriculture is a small sector in the UK economy, contributing less than 1% to GDP and employing around 1.2% of the workforce. But…

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A recent survey by the ICAEW has disclosed that over 40% of businesses which are imminently to be affected by the Making Tax Digital legislation for VAT are not yet aware of the Inland Revenue’s initiative, despite the deadline for dealing with the changes being from April 2019. Of the 60% of businesses that are…

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Although we hear of decline in the value of development land, particularly for larger developments, growing houses continues to be more attractive to many than growing crops. Onerous Section 102 levies may apply but the tax regime remains gentle. It should not however be assumed that tax reliefs will be available automatically. Legislation imposes qualifying…

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  The decision has recently been published in a European Court of Justice case, Shields and Sons Partnership v the Commissioners for HM Revenue & Customs. The case revolved around the authority of HMRC to remove the partnership from the VAT flat rate scheme for farmers. It is reported that the partnership had benefited over…

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