Following a visit to a farm in Cornwall, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a £65m package for drought-stricken farmers in England.
It includes a £50m top up to an English agri environment scheme, known as the Sustainable Farming Incentive, plus £15m of support for water reservoirs on farms.
In response, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) described the package as an important step.
“It’s clear that the prime minister has recognised the serious impacts this drought is having on farmers and on our ability to water crops, feed livestock and keep food production on track,” said NFU president Tom Bradshaw.
We can no longer always rely on rain throughout the year
England is now experiencing its third drought in five years, with the dry conditions seriously impacting crop yields and depleting winter fodder reserves on livestock farms.
NFU deputy president Paul Tompkins said it is clear that weather patterns in the UK are changing.
“We can no longer always rely on rain throughout the year, and it’s imperative that we invest in our national water infrastructure so we can capture and store water at times of plenty for use in times of shortage,” he said.
The cost of inputs on UK farms has reached its highest level since the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to a leading consultancy firm.
The Andersons Centre, which is based in Leicestershire, says its “agflation” index is now at 8.6%, which is more than the double its pre-Iran war level seen in February 2026.
“With agricultural output prices still running 2.1% lower year-on-year, UK farm businesses are now navigating a damaging combination of geopolitical disruption, extreme heat and prolonged drought,” said Michael Haverty from Andersons.
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