A new era at Defra: CLA welcomes Emma Reynolds as Secretary of State
Wycombe MP replaces Steve Reed and speaks with CLA President on first day in office
The CLA has welcomed the appointment of Emma Reynolds, MP for Wycombe, as the new Defra Secretary of State following a Cabinet reshuffle.
She replaces Steve Reed in the role, who had held the position since summer 2024. Daniel Zeichner has also left his position as farming minister, succeeded by Dame Angela Eagle.
CLA President Victoria Vyvyan, who had a meeting with the new Secretary of State on her first day in office, said:
"We offer our warmest congratulations to Emma, who we have known for some time as a champion of the rural cause.
"She will know already of the immense potential of the rural economy to generate growth and create jobs. We will do everything in our power to support her in unlocking that potential.
"This reshuffle offers a profound opportunity to draw a line under a very difficult year for industry-government relations. But to move on, first government must recognise that their current position on inheritance tax is completely untenable and will do nothing but harm to the rural, and national, economy."
Mr Reed is now housing secretary, a role held by Angela Rayner until her resignation last week.
Autumn budget
The reshuffle comes days after the date of the next Autumn Budget, 26 November, was confirmed. Here, the Chancellor will set out any changes to the UK’s tax system and indicate any tax rises or cuts.
Since the announcements of changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief at the 2024 Autumn Budget, the CLA has been working to lobby the government to reverse the proposed changes.
We will be putting in representations ahead of November to push the government to deliver a settlement which unlocks the potential of the rural economy.
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In response to the announcement of the date of the budget, CLA President Victoria Vyvyan said:
"Cap the transfer of business assets, and families could be hit with immediate bills they can’t pay. That could mean selling stock, letting go of employees, or walking away from a trade built over a lifetime.
"Higher capital gains rates could keep owners hanging on for years to protect the viability of the business, making it harder for the sons, daughters and apprentices to step in.
“They say this will raise money. In truth, it would cost the people who grow our food, keep our shops open and care for our countryside – balancing the books by cutting the future short."
What’s next for political parties?
MPs will not be staying in London for long, with parliament rising in mid-September for party conference recess.
Every major political party hosts an annual conference. At these, a variety of speeches from key figures take place which outline the direction of the party and what it expects to do in the year ahead. This is a great opportunity for politicians to try and capture the attention of the media and the public.
Conferences also consist of a series of ‘fringe’ events, hosted by groups affiliated to the party and external stakeholders. Here panellists will take questions and put forward policy positions on a variety of topics, hoping to shape the political party’s policy agenda.
How is the CLA getting involved?
This year the CLA will be attending the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth, Conservative conference in Manchester and Labour conference in Liverpool – each with its own full agenda.
At Labour, CLA Director General Isabella Murfin will be speaking on a panel hosted by the Rivers Trust on water policy, with Water Minister Emma Hardy MP. In addition, Deputy President Gavin Lane will be putting forward our position to Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook MP on the future of land use and the upcoming Land Use Framework.
We are also hosting a fringe event at Conservative Party Conference. CLA Director of External Affairs Jonathan Roberts will appear with Shadow Secretary for Business and Trade Andrew Griffith MP and others to discuss the future of the rural economy.
The rest of our time will be spent meeting with politicians and other key stakeholders. This includes hosting a dinner at all three conferences which allow us to meet with MPs and ministers in a more casual atmosphere to discuss the future of the rural economy and how the CLA and politicians can work together on behalf of members.
Over the coming weeks, stay tuned for our analysis from these conferences, including details on how each party is approaching rural affairs.