EXCLUSIVE - Sir Mark Spencer on IHT: "Young farmers are walking away from the sector"

Former Farming Minister Sir Mark Spencer writes on why young people are walking away from a future in farming due to Inheritance Tax changes, and why farmers have been taken for granted

clock • 2 min read
Sir Mark Spencer said: "The reward has always been that you will one day be able to take on the family farm, to build on what your parents and grandparents did, and one day inspire the next generation of family to continue what you have done. Why, after all that work, effort, dedication and passion, would you (the farmer) do that to eventually be the generation that lost the family business to the tax man?"
Image:

Sir Mark Spencer said: "The reward has always been that you will one day be able to take on the family farm, to build on what your parents and grandparents did, and one day inspire the next generation of family to continue what you have done. Why, after all that work, effort, dedication and passion, would you (the farmer) do that to eventually be the generation that lost the family business to the tax man?"

Government policy is a complete disaster that we may not fully feel the impact of until it is too late. But the reality is, this is having a huge impact right now. Whilst I was the Farming Minister,...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Politics

Agriculture split over EU reset summit delay caused by Starmer's resignation

Agriculture split over EU reset summit delay caused by Starmer's resignation

Crop group says pause will enable parties to better prepare while meat industry warns further hold-ups will only fuel farmer frustration

Jane Thynne
clock 25 June 2026 • 2 min read
From the editor: Can we move on from a decade of political drift?

From the editor: Can we move on from a decade of political drift?

This week from the Farmers Guardian editor Katie Jones

Katie Jones
clock 25 June 2026 • 2 min read
10 years on: What has changed for farming a decade after Brexit?

10 years on: What has changed for farming a decade after Brexit?

On the tenth anniversary of the vote to leave the European Union, Cedric Porter takes a look at the changes in the industry since the referendum

Cedric Porter
clock 23 June 2026 • 7 min read