Farmers union president brought to tears over inheritance tax changes

The president of the National Farmer’s Union was brought to tears while giving evidence to a parliamentary committee on Wednesday.

Tom Bradshaw suggested that farmers could consider taking their own lives in the face of changes to inheritance tax.

He told MPs that middle-aged farmers concerned their parents do not have seven years left to ensure they can pass down the farm without paying tax are in an “awful, awful unacceptable position”.

They “may well decide that they shouldn’t be here on April 26”, he told the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.

“Now, no policy should ever be published that has that unintended side effect”, Bradshaw said.

“What I’m being told by some people is money doesn’t trigger this, and I may agree with them that money doesn’t trigger it.

“This is a lifetime of work, it’s the heritage,” Bradshaw added, becoming emotional, “and the custodianship of that farm.”

It comes after angry farmers drove their tractors through the streets outside Westminster on Wednesdsay.

Thousands have gathered along Whitehall for another demonstration against the “toxic” Budget in October which farmers say puts their businesses, futures and food security at risk.

Farmers in Aberdeenshire are due to protest next week, STV News can reveal.

The tractor protest will travel through the North East on Thursday, and organisers expect hundreds of local farmers to attend.

Last month, in her Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced changes to the way farmers pay inheritance tax.

The tax on agricultural assets will be charged at 20% above £1m, sparking fury among the farming community.

Although the Chancellor has said in some cases, the threshold could, in practice, be around £3m.

Tax experts have suggested the changes could affect fewer than 500 farms a year, once the tax thresholds and farmers giving their property to their children before they die are considered.

Last month the policy announcement received criticism from across the political spectrum in Scotland, with the SNP and Tories hitting out at Labour’s plans.

First Minister John Swinney said it was “deeply disappointing” that the Scottish Government was not consulted on the change.

He called on the UK Government to “urgently” commit to publishing impact assessments of the proposals on farmers and crofters in Scotland.

The Scottish Conservatives’ rural affairs spokesman, and farmer, Tim Eagle, urged the UK Government to reconsider, claiming the change could “see the end of the family farm as we know it”.

“We’ve heard directly from farmers that this could cripple many family farms. It will mean that families will not be able to pass on their farm to the next generation.”

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