Should recent tax and policy changes that increase farmers’ costs be reversed to support the farming economy?
The Labour government reformed inheritance tax reliefs for agricultural and business property from April 2026. Estates now receive 100% relief on the first £2.5 million of qualifying assets, with 50% relief above that level, meaning an effective 20% tax rate on excess value. This follows the original 2024 proposal of a £1 million cap, adjusted after farmer protests and industry lobbying. Farmers argue it threatens family farm succession and raises costs amid high land values, while the government says it affects few estates and funds public services.
3 Opinions
save the farmer, save the nation
Introducing taxing on something, limits it. We do not want to limit farming. Quite opposite. Goverment in desperation for money source will starve us and economy to death.
Yes for most. But... Sir James Dyson hoarding 36,000 acres to shelter cash isn't the same as a family milking cows on 250 acres... Which will easily breach £2.5m on paper while yielding minimum-wage returns. I think slapping a blanket 20% death duty on excess land over £2.5m punishes families whose only wealth is their soil. Realistically we need to protect owner occupier family farms with an outside wealth cap, and stop letting corporate giants monopolise rural Britain