Farmers in England are set to receive an extra £65 million in government support as drought conditions continue to damage crops and put pressure on water supplies.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the funding on Saturday following the driest July on record in England and Wales. The package will provide additional support for sustainable farming, help farmers develop on-farm reservoirs and make it easier to access water during periods of drought.
“Today we’re putting £65m more into supporting farmers through this drought and preparing for the summers ahead,” Burnham said on X.
He added that food production was a matter of national security and said farmers should not have to bear the effects of a changing climate alone.
July 2026 was the driest and sunniest July on record for England and Wales, with just 10% of the long‑term average rainfall in England, according to the Met Office.