A number of local authorities have backed motions opposing the Government’s plans to impose inheritance tax on farms worth over £1 million.
Suffolk County Council passed a motion opposing the policy on Thursday (Image: SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL)
Labour is facing a growing “town hall rebellion” over its inheritance tax raid on family farms, a campaign group has warned.
A series of councils have passed motions opposing plans to limit 100% relief to £1 million of combined agricultural and business property.
It is the latest sign of fury at the controversial changes unveiled by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in October’s Budget.
Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs for the Countryside Alliance, said: “The Countryside Alliance team has been busy contacting councillors from across the country in recent days urging them to publicly oppose this awful tax.
“The town hall rebellion appears to be sweeping across England quickly and we thank all those councils who have made a st and already.
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“The councils that have taken action add their weight to the growing list of bodies and experts who are demanding a rethink.
“If the Chancellor will not listen and work with the farming community to find a way forward, her battle with the countryside will simply become a long-running sore. That isn’t good for anyone and it’s a very bad look for the Government.”
Suffolk County Council, North Northamptonshire Council, Devon County Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Norfolk County Council and Cornwall Council are among local authorities that backed motions against the changes.
Shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins said: “Labour’s family farm tax will finish British farming as we know it.
“So far, the city-dwelling Labour government have refused to listen to farmers and tax experts, but we will make sure that the voices of farmers and farming families are heard.
“Last week, we Conservatives forced a vote in Parliament calling on Labour to scrap their proposals. Not a single Labour MP voted with us, to support British farming. I hope that Labour councillors will do the right thing and send a clear message to Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves.”
It comes after thousands of farmers descended on Westminster on Wednesday for the latest protest against the Budget changes, with tractors taking part in a slow drive around Parliament.
The Daily Express’s Save Britain’s Family Farms campaign is demanding a U-turn on the policy.
A Government spokesperson said: “Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast – we have committed £5 billion to the farming budget over two years, including more money than ever for sustainable food production, and we are developing a 25-year farming roadmap, focusing on how to make the sector more profitable in the decades to come.
“Our reform to Agricultural and Business Property Relief will impact around 500 estates a year. For these estates, inheritance tax will be at half the rate paid by others, with 10 years to pay the liability back interest free. This is a fair and balanced approach which fixes the public services we all rely on.”
