East Midlands farmers continue protests against an inheritance tax increase
The Day of Unity will see events take place across the country including in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire
East Midlands farmers will take to the streets today (Saturday 25th January) as they continue protests against an inheritance tax increase.
The Day of Unity will see events take place across the country, including in Newark, Nottingham and the High Peak.
It's hoped it will spark a Government U-turn on the policy.
Jane Bassett is a farmer in the peak district and is the NFU Derbyshire chair, she recalls the previous action that's been taken:
“We had the mass lobby in London and have launched our banner campaign all the while mass lobbying our MPs over this and we have shown this issue is not going away and we will continue to fight it.
“The campaign continues as we call on all of our politicians from all parties to back the industry and stop this destructive tax on family food producing businesses, the economy and rural communities.”
She added that it's a big concern to those who have farms like hers:
"It will massively affect us because of how our generational structure is, the fact that we've gone from a situation that the message from everyone was to hold the farm together and as a whole, then almost overnight on the budget announcement day, it was exact opposite of that. So a lot of people were not able to plan for it, that's very unfair. You know, that's really hit some farmers hard.
"Also with our form particularly, we've got diversified businesses as well. So you know there's an element of the business property relief in there as well. So when you put them all together and the value of it, you know it is quite likely that will be potentially cost in the region of £300,000 in tax to pay over 10 years and on such very little profit, it's going to be so difficult to actually service that debt going forward."
The National Farmers Union say the day’s events will vary region to region but three simple messages will run through all of them:
- The tax will crush family farming in Britain.
- The support of the public means everything to farmers.
- This will go on as long as it needs to go on.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “Farmers haven’t taken this destructive policy lying down and we won’t give up. There is too much at risk – our families, our future, our heritage and the undermining of the very sector that produces a safe, secure supply of British food.
“This date will give everyone that wants to an opportunity to support family farms from right across the UK, to show unity and strength, and for farmers and growers to speak as one in our call for government to stop the family farm tax.
“We are so grateful to the British public for their ongoing support on this issue. The 25th is not just a day for the farming community to show unity, but anyone who believes Britain’s family farms, and the high quality food they produce, deserve to be better valued and supported.”
A government spokesperson said:
“Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast.
“This Government will invest £5 billion into farming over the next two years, the largest budget for sustainable food production in our country’s history. We are going further with reforms to boost profits for farmers by backing British produce and reforming planning rules on farms to support food production.
“Our reform to Agricultural and Business Property Relief will mean estates will pay a reduced effective inheritance tax rate of 20%, rather than standard 40%, and payments can be spread over 10 years, interest-free. This is a fair and balanced approach, which fixes the public services we all rely on, affecting around 500 estates a year.”