NatWest has confirmed a heatwave change to support farmers battling drought and extreme weather, as the UK faces further 38C conditions this week. The bank, which has branches in Birmingham, says it is "increasing support" for agricultural customers.
Support package details
The measures include loan repayment holidays, interest rate reductions, temporary emergency lending facilities with no arrangement fees, and overdraft support. Working capital solutions are also available, along with access to specialist agriculture relationship managers and funding for investments that improve business resilience, productivity, and sustainability, such as water storage and reservoir projects to capture water during wetter months.
Bank's perspective
Ian Burrow, Head of Agriculture at NatWest Group, said: "British farmers are increasingly being forced to manage the consequences of weather extremes, from flooding one season to drought the next." He added: "The challenge for many businesses is no longer simply recovering from a single event but building resilience for a future where these conditions are becoming more frequent."
Burrow noted: "While we are not yet seeing a material increase in demand for support, we expect pressures on some farming businesses to build over the coming weeks and months. With harvests progressing earlier than usual in some areas and livestock farmers already relying on winter feed stocks due to poor grass growth, cashflow and feed availability could become increasingly challenging." He emphasised that through the network of named specialist agriculture relationship managers, the bank is ready to provide tailored support and guidance as pressures emerge.
Government response
Farming Minister Stephen Morgan said: "I know how difficult these dry conditions have been for farmers, and it's good to see NatWest stepping up support for their agricultural customers at this critical time." He highlighted that through the National Drought Group, the government is working with industry, the Environment Agency, and the water sector to help farm businesses manage today's pressures and build long-term resilience. He encouraged any farmer struggling with drought impact to speak to their bank and explore available support.
