Clark

Annual checks by age

Choose an age range to see the personal health checks worth booking. Farm compliance checks below apply every year regardless of age.

Blood pressure check from your GP or pharmacy
Every 3–5 yrs
Hearing check AirPods Pro 2 or Pro 3 include Apple's clinical-grade Hearing Test for a free at-home baseline. For protecting your hearing day to day around machinery, Loop earplugs are a popular option.
Once a year
Skin check outdoor work means higher UV exposure; check moles/patches
Once a year
Hand-arm vibration baseline if you use vibrating tools/machinery regularly
Baseline
Eye test standard sight test
Every 2 yrs
NHS Health Check free heart/circulation check-up from age 40
Every 5 yrs
Cervical screening ages 25–49, if applicable
Every 3 yrs
Hearing, skin and vibration checks continue if exposed to those risks
Once a year
Dental check-up routine check
Every 2 yrs
NHS Health Check continues to age 74
Every 5 yrs
Bowel cancer screening home test kit, from age 50
Every 2 yrs
Breast screening ages 50–70, if applicable
Every 3 yrs
Cervical screening ages 50–64, if applicable
Every 5 yrs
Hearing, skin and vibration checks continue if exposed to those risks
Once a year
NHS Health Check continues until 74
Every 5 yrs
AAA screening aortic aneurysm scan, offered to men at 65
One-off
Bowel cancer screening continues
Every 2 yrs
Breast screening self-refer after 70, if applicable
As needed
Attendance Allowance worth checking eligibility if care needs have started (see below)
Check once
Bowel cancer screening request a kit by calling 0800 707 6060
Every 2 yrs
Breast screening self-refer
As needed
Hearing and vision checks worth doing from this point
Once a year
Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit check eligibility if not already claiming (see below)
Check once

Farm compliance

Every year
LOLER thorough examination lifting equipment — telehandlers, forklifts, loaders
Once a year
PUWER equipment safety check guarding, controls and general work equipment
Once a year
Sprayer testing (NSTS) boom and air-assisted sprayers
Once a year
Slurry/silage store check (SSAFO) condition, capacity and pollution risk
Once a year
Bovine TB testing frequency depends on your area; check yours on GOV.UK
6mo–4yrs
Fire extinguisher servicing and first aid kit review condition and stock check
Once a year

Benefits you could be eligible for

Worth checking even if you've been turned down before — rules and rates change every April.

For your age Attendance AllowanceFor State Pension age+, needing help with personal care. Not means-tested. For your age Personal Independence PaymentFor under State Pension age, with a long-term illness or disability. For your age Pension CreditTops up low income at State Pension age — unlocks other help too. For your age Carer's AllowanceIf you spend 35+ hours a week caring for someone. For your age Industrial Injuries Disablement BenefitFor employees (not self-employed) disabled by a workplace accident or disease. For your age Council Tax ReductionBased on income and household — apply through your local council.

Inheritance tax changes affecting farms

From 6 April 2026, the rules on Agricultural and Business Property Relief changed. This is general information only, not tax advice — speak to an accountant or solicitor before making decisions.

£2.5m 100% relief allowance per person
50% relief on value above the allowance
20% effective tax rate on the excess

Previously, qualifying farmland and business assets could get 100% relief from inheritance tax with no upper limit. Since 6 April 2026, that full relief is capped — anything above the allowance is taxed at the normal 40% rate, but only on half its value.

The allowance can be transferred between spouses or civil partners, so a couple can potentially shelter up to £5 million combined. It refreshes every 7 years, similar to the standard nil-rate band.

Rough estimate calculator

This gives a simplified, ballpark figure only — it ignores the standard nil-rate band, other exemptions, and trust rules. Not a substitute for professional advice.

Other changes worth knowing about

A few more that affect farm finances directly. General information only.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax From April 2026, quarterly digital reporting replaces the old tax return for sole traders/landlords earning over £50,000. Farmers using profit averaging get a deferral to April 2027. Threshold drops to £30,000 in 2027, then £20,000 in 2028. Delinked payments (ex-BPS) ending The old Basic Payment Scheme replacement is being phased out — maximum £600 for both 2026 and 2027, then nothing from 2028. GOV.UK has an official calculator for your exact figure. Sustainable Farming Incentive SFI closed to new applicants in March 2025; a relaunch was announced January 2026. Worth checking current status before relying on delinked payments dropping off.