Debate on inheritance tax impacting Cumbrian farmers in Parliament tomorrow
The chairman of Cumbia's National Farmers Union has spoken out against government plans
Last updated 9th Feb 2025
It's a big day for the Cumbrian agriculture sector tomorrow - a debate's being held in parliament on the changes to inheritance tax.
Farmers have been calling on MPs to scrap inheritance tax hikes that they say could force families to sell off their farms.
It's something the chairman of the county's National Farmers Union, Richard Ladds, has spoken out against.
Andrew Diver is an accountant who's been advising farmers.
He says the proposed changes could see farmers turn away from costly improvements around becoming carbon neutral.
"There could be lack of ability to invest in these areas.
"It might be that you could get a slightly more profitable farm but you would require a lot more capital investment and in terms of green investments - you need a lot of capital up front for that."
Andrew tells us it's difficult for farmers to diversify and adapt to climate demands without better financial security.
"Well where are you getting it out of your £16,000 a year? That's for your heating, food and general living costs," he says.
"You need a little bit more than that to improve your farm."
He says farmers have been looking to other sources of income for financial stability.
"They don't know where to look. It is a degree of desperation.
"There have been a lot of talks about diversifying. You have a lot of holiday lets going up on farms as well," he says.
"Farmers are just trying to find an answer."
A government spokesperson has said the introduction of the tax is a fair and balanced approach which helps to fix the public services we all rely on.