The government insists that it is ‘committed to supporting farmers and rural communities, including helping families to pass their land on to the next generation’. However, recent reforms to Agricultural Property Relief (RPR) are set to damage the foundations of British agriculture. Protests in London on 19th November are set to be historic. A full forced response by angry and frustrated farmers fighting to stop the government telling them how to do their jobs.
Labour have historically not been a party that have stood by the side of British agriculture, however Reeve’s new 20% inheritance tax has been seen by farmers as the last crack of the whip which they have been enduring for far too long now.
British farming has been subjected to the trials and tribulations of Brexit, COVID-19, inflationary pressures, and fluctuating costs as a result of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict. Furthermore, farmers have been pushed into sowing wildflowers and bird cover through sustainable agricultural schemes just to stay afloat. No other UK sector has faced such inconsistency of support, as well as dealing with the mental health crisis that we see plague those working people who make up the backbone of UK farming. Not only does this threaten the future of British food security, but the consumer will feel the effects of this in higher costs if British farms cannot sustain the large bills heading their way.
The question remains: why does the government think they know more about farming than farmers?
Maintaining tax relief for farmers is essential to support those working people who tirelessly strive to support the UK and innovate the agricultural industry. We have seen a wide spread responses from influential figures in the UK agricultural sphere including Jeremy Clarkson and James Dyson who have openly rejected Labour's policy on UK agriculture. However, whilst we see larger voices representing the community, it is those family farms that build up the fabric of the countryside who will be most affected.
The process of being able to pass down family farms to future generations and protect the productivity of the business has long been the foundation of successful British agriculture. Following the 2024 autumn budget, this foremost value is under threat.
Questions over whether this policy is sustainable are being suitably considered. However, how it will effect those caught in the transition period is a sticky question that the government will find itself knee deep in if it fails to recognise the consequences.
