Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of “throwing farmers to the wolves” following a high-level meeting with Treasury officials today.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said farmers were “disappointed” after the Government rejected alternative solutions to the 20 per cent inheritance tax on farm estates.
Reeves claims that only wealthy farm estates will be impacted, but the NFU has said the tax will leave thousands of family farms in financial ruin.
Keir Starmer has been accused of 'not caring about farmers'
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Liberal Democrat Environment and Rural Affairs spokesman Tim Farron MP said: “This Government is throwing farmers to the wolves, completely disregarding the importance of farming communities to our economy and environment.
“Their family farm tax could be the final nail in the coffin for many communities struggling to cope.
“The Liberal Democrats will continue to fight tooth and nail to protect rural communities against this cruel tax.”
Farron’s comments have been echoed by the Opposition as Shadow Environmental Secretary Victoria Atkins said “economic and emotional damage” being caused by the tax changes was being “arrogantly ignored” by the Government.
“Labour clearly don't care about rural communities. If they did, they would follow our pledge to axe their family farm tax.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who visited a farm in Norfolk today, said: “The Treasury just don't get it.”
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Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who visited a farm in Norfolk today
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Ed Davey on a farm in Norfolk
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He added: “This could, frankly, end this farm if the Government proceeds with that.
“And farmers have had a tough time. The Conservatives didn't seem to understand them with their awful trade deals and their failure to support them after Brexit.
“And they're really on the knees. And the last thing they needed was this inheritance tax change by Labour.
“So the Democrats are going to campaign on behalf of farmers here in Norfolk and across the country to make the Treasury change their minds.”
The NFU proposed a clawback scheme today which would limit the tax burden if farms were sold within a set period.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw walked away in “fury” following the talks, adding: “They don't care about the human impact.”
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said farmers were furious following the talks
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Many farmers are now suffering from poor mental health and increased pressures. One beef farmer, Daniel Boomer, 22, from Northern Ireland described the impact of the tax as a “pressure cooker”.
“Everything’s just boiling and busting, and something will break at some point. I’ve been very close to taking my own life.
“I knew I had to speak to someone about it because it was really hurting me every day. And every day it gets heavier and heavier.”
The tax raid was announced in the October Budget and seemed to go back on what farmers saw as “a new relationship” with the Government.
Bradshaw proposed possibly disrupting food production in protest “Public support is absolutely fundamental to pressuring the Government.
“We must keep public support at all costs, as that will drive political support.
“I get the genuine anger and frustration that farmers are feeling today, but public support will get us through this.”
The Government’s response to the family farm tax has so far been defensive.
One spokesman said: “This is a fair and balanced approach, which fixes the public services we all rely on, affecting around 500 estates a year.”
