'Stop the family farm tax' parliamentary debate: ask your MP to speak out
With the online petition ‘Don't change inheritance tax relief for working farms’ gaining over 100,000 signatures, the House of Commons petitions committee has agreed that a debate on the subject will take place on 10 February at 4:30pm. This is an incredibly important opportunity for you to lobby your MP, urging them to attend the debate to speak out against the family farm tax. Farmers need as many MPs to attend the debate as possible. Doing so will send a message to Rachel Reeves and the Treasury, while reinforcing the strength of our collective opposition to this damaging policy, before it’s too late.
Our countryside is more than just landscapes. It contributes hugely towards the nation’s food supply, economy and well-being, but the budget proposals threaten the very fabric of rural life by putting family farms and hardworking communities at risk.
Scrapping the Agricultural Property Relief could deal a devastating blow to family farms. With young farmers already struggling, a potential 20% inheritance tax could make it impossible to keep these farms in the family. This move risks stripping rural Britain of its lifeblood: the small, family-run farms that sustain our rural communities and food security. Defra’s figures show that these changes will affect two-thirds of farms.
Meanwhile, the new tax reclassification of double-cab pickups, which are essential vehicles for farmers, gamekeepers, and builders, means they will be taxed as company cars starting in April 2025. This reclassification could raise taxes by over 200%, making a crucial tool unaffordable for many.
These are only two of many changes that will have a big impact on farmers and the wider rural community. Without immediate action, these policies could cause irreparable harm to the countryside. Join us in urging the Chancellor to reconsider these policies.
Protect the countryside, protect Britain’s future.