Farmers across England will receive a £65 million funding boost to help them deal with prolonged heatwave conditions and dry weather, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said. The announcement comes as the UK government faces growing pressure over high temperatures and drought conditions across large parts of the country.
After chairing an emergency Cabinet Office Briefing Room A (COBRA) meeting on extreme heat, wildfires and drought earlier this week, Burnham met farmers affected by low yields and even lost harvests before pledging additional support on Saturday. The government said it was taking immediate steps while also focusing on adapting to a changing climate.
“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,” Burnham said.
“Lower income, higher costs, and no rain in the forecast. I understand the worry that comes with that. The ability to grow our own food is national security, and I will treat it that way,” he said.
“So we are acting now: more money into farm support, help to get reservoirs built, and easier access to water when it is scarce,” the prime minister added.
As wildfires raged across England’s West Midlands region, Burnham authorised emergency text alerts on mobile phones warning people against using disposable barbecues and other fire hazards. He later defended the use of the nationwide alert system, which is meant for extreme risk to life situations, saying that “Britain was a tinderbox” with multiple fires “smouldering the country”.
Plans were also drawn up to use firefighting planes to help put out flames and limit the spread of wildfires, as has been done in parts of Europe and the United States.
UK Environment Secretary Angela Eagle said, “I am acutely aware of the pressures exceptionally dry weather is placing on farm businesses.” She added, “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.”
The package announced this weekend includes an extra £50 million for the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026, taking the total budget to £290 million, and up to £15 million for on-farm reservoirs to help farmers store water. An updated National Planning Policy Framework, due to be published on Monday, will set out measures to make it easier to build reservoirs and improve access to water during persistent drought conditions.
Downing Street said that while immediate action was being taken, the government was focused on adapting to a changing climate. “The UK has a resilient food system, and the dry weather is not expected to affect national food security. But the government is taking action now to strengthen that resilience further, through the Farming Roadmap, stronger food supply chains and its work with the National Drought Group and Farming and Food Partnership Board,” it said.
Among the planned actions are the development of nine new reservoirs to strengthen water infrastructure and improve resilience to future droughts, floods and extreme weather, and an investment of around £100 million to strengthen the country’s response to wildfires and extreme weather.
This week was the UK’s fifth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures touching 38 degrees Celsius in some areas. Network Rail reported “exceptional challenges” for the transport network after two trains derailed in less than 24 hours. Although temperatures are expected to fall in the coming days, rain remains uncertain, leaving the government balancing immediate support for farmers with longer-term steps to deal with drought, wildfires and extreme heat.
With PTI Inputs
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