SFI26 update: Window 1 now closed
Window 1 of the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 (SFI26) has now closed. We expect Window 2 to open from 22 September. This post provides an overview of figures and insights from Window 1.
Tom Foster
Tom Foster is the Rural Payments Agency's Grants Service Director.
Tom oversees the teams responsible for:
- Policy and strategy alignment and influence
- Service design, development, and testing
- Operating model design and delivery readiness
- Rollout of new services to operational teams
- Ongoing service support and continuous improvement
His teams work closely with colleagues across the RPA, Defra policy teams, and Defra's Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) function to ensure the successful delivery of end-to-end farming schemes and grants that meet the needs of customers and the organisation.
Tom became a civil servant in 2009, when he joined the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Prior to this, he worked in a variety of consulting and charity sector roles, both in the UK and overseas.
Tom joined the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) in 2024, where he supported the expansion of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2024 offer and the rollout of Higher Tier schemes.
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Groceries Code Adjudicator Annual Conference
The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) annual conference takes place on Tuesday 29 September.
The event will bring together suppliers, retailers and industry representatives. It will reflect on the GCA’s work to ensure fair treatment of suppliers and the support available to them, including how they can raise issues in confidence.
Preparing your business for the UK-EU SPS agreement
Read the new guidance to understand what the changes could mean for your business and how to prepare.
Agricultural property relief
From 6 April 2026, qualifying agricultural and business assets will continue to receive full inheritance tax relief up to a combined value of £2.5 million. Lower relief rates will apply to assets above this amount. Learn more
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