A grieving son has warned that Labour's inheritance tax changes could lead to more farming tragedies after revealing how the policy contributed to his father's suicide.
Jonathan Charlesworth told GB News that the Government has "more or less incentivized suicide" by giving farmers just 18 months to plan for the new inheritance tax rules.
The grandfather-of-six was found dead the day before Labour's Rachel Reeves broke an election pledge to announce the new inheritance tax.
The policy would apply a 20 per cent tax rate to all farm estates worth over £1million.
Jonathan Charlesworth told GB News that the government has "more or less incentivized suicide"
GB NEWS
Charlesworth explained: "The last three months has been a bit of a whirlwind. I don't think you realize how much there is to deal with when you lose somebody. When you lose somebody to suicide.
"I think that it just makes everything a hundred times harder. It really is a nightmare dealing with it all. I think ignored is quite a mild way to put it, really.
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"I mean, they've more or less incentivized suicide by bringing in the inheritance tax with such short notice.
"I mean, 18 months, how do you somebody with a 300-acre farm that's worth say, £3million? They're going to have to find half £1million if somebody dies, you know, in two years time, 18 months isn't it's not anywhere near long enough to plan that sort of financial structure.
"So anybody now that's in the 70s, 80s as my dad was there's going to be thinking, can I make it another five years till we get rid of this Labour Government? Or is the easy way out to take my own life?
"I'm not promoting that in any way, shape or form because it's the worst thing that could happen to anybody to discover a family member like that. But this is what will be going through people's heads."
Farmers protesting in London
PAThe burden comes at a time when farming communities are already struggling with mental health challenges.
The mental health crisis in farming has been further highlighted by the Government's decision to scrap a vital £10million support fund.
The Farming Resilience Fund, which provides business advice and mental health support, will close on March 31.
Yellow Wellies, a farming charity, reported a 55 per cent surge in demand for counselling services last year.
Stephanie Berkeley, of Yellow Wellies, warned: "Farming in the UK has weathered many crises over the years. However, this emerging mental health crisis could prove the most devastating."
The Government defended its position, stating it is "investing billions of pounds and recruiting 8,500 mental health professionals across our NHS".
It also highlighted a £5billion investment in farming over the next two years, describing it as "the largest amount for sustainable food production in our country's history".
Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.
