Rebecca Mushing tells us about how she came to fall in love with the industry, the ways in which women are working together to make the sector less male-dominated, and what advice she would give to young women considering a career in planning.

In our Housebuilders Campaign, we explore the problems and concerns of this sector in conversation with five regional developers. We highlight some of the champions of this industry and discuss the innovative approaches they are taking to alleviate some of the sector’s biggest headaches.

Arvin Bhamra, Senior Associate provides examples of additional practical considerations we recommend for secured lending when making a loan secured against property.

As at the end of February 2025, internet sales comprised 26% of all retail sales in the UK. As the online market grows, businesses are tempted by what they see as the reduced cost of selling online. It is true that having to bind yourself to a lease and other set up costs and being tied into operating hours can be expensive and painful, but business is business, and organisations remain obligated to comply with a variety of laws.

On 1 January 2025, digital platforms such as eBay became required by law to report to HMRC any sellers who had made more than a few sales. The measure is intended to ensure that sellers pay tax on their sales.

Lease extensions are becoming more and more common nowadays as the unexpired term of leases granted in the 1980s and 1990s is often falling below 80 years.

Amid growing concerns that seasonal workers are facing increasing levels of abuse, farmers and growers find themselves at the sharp end of increasing enforcement powers as exploitative practices come to light.

The government’s commitment to building 1.5m homes over the course of this Parliament and to speed up some 150 outstanding planning decisions on critical infrastructure, is encapsulated in the Planning & Infrastructure Bill (PIB). Several aspects of the Bill will affect farmers including the removal of hope value when land is compulsorily purchased, and the introduction of environmental delivery plans (EDPs) which will require land for mitigation.

Despite the obvious anxiety caused by the removal of APR from farming assets over £1 million, announced in the Autumn budget, it is more likely than not that most affected farms and estates will be able to mitigate some, if not all, their IHT liability.

Our 2025 spring / summer news roundup includes the new rises to NICs, wage and statutory rates; confirmation that a Tenant Farming Commissioner would be appointed; Labour’s ‘new deal’ for farming; Oxbury Bank’s new Transition Loan Facility to help farmers reduce carbon emissions; and the ‘national conversation’ on land use in England included in the Land Use Framework consultation.