Farmers across England will receive new support to help manage the impact of prolonged dry weather, including a £65 million funding boost, as the government steps up its response to the ongoing drought.
The government is making the additional £65 million available to support farmers through reprioritisation within Defra’s farming budget, ensuring funding is directed to the areas of greatest need during the drought.
The announcement of new measures, which will help farmers manage drought pressures, protect crops and strengthen resilience for the future, follows the Prime Minister’s emergency response committee (COBR) meeting on the national response to extreme heat, wildfires and drought.
The package forms part of a coordinated cross-government response to the drought, bringing together action on farming, water and vital infrastructure. This follows the driest July on record in England and Wales.
It will help farmers get water to crops, keep livestock fed where grass has failed, and continue their environmental agreements without losing payments when drought makes agreed activity impossible. Farmers will also be supported to build on-farm water storage, helping farms prepare for future dry summers.
Prime Minister: “farmers are at sharp end of a changing climate”
Visiting a farm in the South West on Saturday, alongside Farming Minister Stephen Morgan, the Prime Minister met farmers affected by the drought and set out the government’s plan to support the sector through the immediate challenges posed by this exceptionally dry summer.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
“The ability to grow our own food is national security, and I will treat it that way. So we are acting now: more money into farm support, help to get reservoirs built, and easier access to water when it is scarce.
“This is the third drought in five years. Farmers are at the sharp end of a changing climate, and they should not be carrying that risk alone.”
The package includes:
- More flexibility in environmental schemes, so farmers affected by drought can continue to receive payments and take practical steps to protect livestock, crops and land.
- An extra £50 million for the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026, taking the total budget to £290 million and helping more farmers access support.
- Action to make it easier to build reservoirs, including reducing unnecessary barriers and updating planning guidance. Further details will be set out in an updated National Planning Policy Framework, which will be published on Monday.
- Up to £15 million for on-farm reservoirs, helping farmers store water and become more resilient to future droughts.
- Improved access to water during drought conditions, including Environment Agency support and simpler water access arrangements.
The new package applies to England only; farming is devolved. Drought status in England is declared by the Environment Agency, and currently covers: East Anglia, Hertfordshire and London, Kent, the Thames Valley, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, the East and West Midlands and Wessex, with around three-quarters of England in drought.
Environment Secretary Angela Eagle commented:
“I am acutely aware of the pressures exceptionally dry weather is placing on farm businesses.
“Our farmers are facing some of the toughest conditions in decades, which is why we’re stepping in with practical support to help them through these challenging conditions and build resilience for the future.
“We’ll continue working closely with farmers and our partners to respond to the impacts of the drought, while building a stronger, more resilient farming sector through our Farming Roadmap.”
While immediate action is being taken, ministers are clear that the country must also adapt to a changing climate.
The government has already announced plans to support the development of nine new reservoirs, strengthen the country’s water infrastructure and improve resilience to future droughts, floods and extreme weather.
It is also investing almost £100 million to strengthen the country’s response to wildfires and extreme weather.
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