Tenant farmers voice concern over National Trust job cuts

Tenant farmers have expressed deep concern over the National Trust’s plans to cut around 550 jobs, warning the restructuring could weaken vital relationships between the conservation charity and the farmers who help steward its land.

The charity announced a 6% workforce reduction last week as part of efforts to save £26m, citing “sustained cost pressures”, including the April rise in national insurance contributions and the national living wage.

The consultation period began on 10 July and will run until late August, with redundancies expected in the autumn.

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George Dunn, chief executive of the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA), said while the trust’s financial challenges are understood, the impact on tenant support must not be overlooked.

“The TFA works constructively with the National Trust on a whole range of issues both in respect of individual tenant farmers and on wider policy,” said Mr Dunn.

“There are difficult issues and negotiations which we have to handle, but we seek to play our role as a critical friend proportionately, pragmatically and looking for solutions that provide mutual benefit for the National Trust and its tenant farmers.”

Largest farm owner

The National Trust is the nation’s largest farm owner with 250,000ha of farmland, much of it farmed by more than 1,300 tenant farmers.

The TFA fears the cuts could affect on-the-ground support services and specialist staff who liaise directly with farming tenants – a concern given the trust’s new 10-year strategy focused on restoring nature and improving access.

Tenant farmers are key delivery partners in the trust’s environmental goals and must remain supported, it insists.

Prospect, the union representing many of the trust’s staff, warned the cuts risk “losing institutional knowledge and skills which are vital” to the charity’s mission.

Front-line roles, including conservation assistants and estate workers, are expected to be among those affected.

Farmers pulled

One tenant farmer in the South West with experience of the National Trust raised concerns about its future direction of travel on farming tenancies.

“The National Trust has been taking back successful farm tenancies that generate good income.

“They are taking these tenancies away and turning good farmers out,” said the farmer.

“They have got no idea how they are going to make money from that land now.

“That land won’t be as profitable for the trust, for sure.”