Majority of public back farmers in family farm tax row

Nearly half of Labour voters think farmers should be exempt from Inheritance Tax

Alex Black
clock • 1 min read
Majority of public back farmers in family farm tax row

Polling conducted this weekend by More in Common has found that the majority of voters and nearly half of all Labour voters think farmers should be exempt from Inheritance Tax.

In last week's Autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR), limiting 100% APR and Business Property Relief to the first £1 million of asset value.

Inheritance Tax

Above that threshold, there will be 50% relief on qualifying assets, giving an effective rate of 20% on assets over £1m.

READ NOW: 'We have done everything we can in the past to say, 'Do not protest'. But today I am not in a position where I can say to people 'Do not do that' - NFU

The change has caused considerable concern for the farming community, with farmers emphasising it will impact family farms across the country wanting to pass on the farm to the next generation.

Approximately 83% of UK farms are family-owned. 

In response, Farmers Guardian has launched 'Save Britain's Family Farms' campaign to support the industry.

James Wright, policy director of the Conservative Rural Forum and FG In Your Field columnist, said: "This is not about good government; it is a war on the countryside. Labour simply does not understand the complexities and values of rural Britain.

Family farm tax

"By imposing this tax, they are jeopardising an industry that is already facing considerable challenges. Labour must reconsider this measure and prevent further harm to an essential part of our nation's fabric."

READ NOW: Zeichner defends Budget APR changes while claiming to understand 'farmers' anxieties'

Mr Wright has also encouraged those who oppose the family farm tax to sign the petition at stopthefarmtax.com which has already been signed by tens of thousands of people across the country.

 

More on Politics

Martin Lines: "The slogan, 'No Farmers, No Food' is everywhere. But how true is this?"

Martin Lines: "The slogan, 'No Farmers, No Food' is everywhere. But how true is this?"

Arable farmer Martin Lines said farmers have 'wasted time' by fighting the 'wrong battles' with Government when they should be championing the benefits they provide to society as a whole

Farmers Guardian
clock 02 May 2025 • 4 min read
Reform makes early strides in rural communities at May 2025 local elections

Reform makes early strides in rural communities at May 2025 local elections

The Conservatives have so far lost 62 seats in the May 2025 local election. Nigel Farage said the results have shown the UK's two-party system is 'dead'. Is he right?

clock 02 May 2025 • 2 min read
'Heartbreaking' concerns from FG's tenant farmers survey raised in House of Lords

'Heartbreaking' concerns from FG's tenant farmers survey raised in House of Lords

Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Lord Livermore, said while he understood the ‘strength of feeling', he did 'not necessarily accept' the survey's conclusions

Rachael Brown
clock 02 May 2025 • 3 min read