NFU Mutual, the UK’s leading rural insurer, has increased its support for farmers to help them through the current income crisis.

Support payment to the National Farmers’ Unions – NFU England and Wales, the NFU of Scotland and the Ulster Farmers’ Union - have been increased to £7.3m - an increase of over £250,000 on 2014. This financial support helps the farmers’ unions look after their members and campaign on their behalf in Westminster and Brussels.

Mutual Bonus has been increased by 2.5% for all general insurance customers. This means that £82m will be returned to policyholders – up from £63m in 2015.

Another move from NFU Mutual to help farmers is the removal of charges for premium payments made by direct debit payments.

In 2015, NFU Mutual paid out £760 million in claims for incidents including fire, farm accidents, theft, animal disease and loss of income. An estimated £50 million of these claims was paid to farmers, business owners and families who were affected by the December 2015 floods which left many celebrating Christmas in alternative accommodation.

NFU Mutual’s Charitable Trust has announced a donation of £30,000 to farming and rural charities to support their ongoing work to help people badly-affected by the floods that struck large parts of Northern England.

Lindsay Sinclair, NFU Mutual Chief Executive Officer Mutual said: “As the insurer of three quarters of the UK’s farmers we are acutely aware of the financial difficulties farmers are facing and are working with our partners in the unions to help them.

“We have a long-term commitment to support UK farmers through the insurance services we provide via the network of over 300 local offices we share with the farming unions and financial support for the unions, - which over the last decade totals over £60.6m.

“Through the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust we are also continuing to provide major funding to help farmers work safely and providing bursaries for post-graduate students studying agriculture.”