Agricultural dealerships under pressure as farmers cutback investment due to Inheritance Tax changes

Has proposed changes to Inheritance Tax placed farmers in a position where they simply do not have the capital nor the desire to invest on-farm due to economic uncertainty? What impact has this had on machinery dealerships like Rea Valley Tractors which recently entered administration?

Chris Brayford

16 September 2025 • 6 min read

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Gareth Davies, MS for Vale of Clwyd, (reflecting on the struggles at Rea Valley Tractors) said: "This comes at a time when the agricultural sector is under immense pressure, with disease outbreaks, drought, the introduction of the family farm tax, and wider economic uncertainty all placing strain on the sector, leaving farmers with less disposable income to invest in vital equipment."

Economic uncertainty from Chancellor Rachel Reeves' proposed reforms to Inheritance Tax has led to farmers curtailing investment on-farm, politicians have warned, with concern that the factor has led to...

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