Farmers Condemn Inheritance Tax Changes at National Conference

Environment Secretary Steve Reed faces protests and criticism over new tax policy, despite announcing measures to support the agricultural sector.

Farmers at the National Farmers' Union (NFU) conference strongly opposed the government's plan to impose a 20% inheritance tax on farms valued over £1 million, set to take effect in April 2026.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed announced a five-year extension of the seasonal worker visa program, a key demand from the NFU, to address labor shortages in the agricultural sector.
Other measures unveiled included a £110 million investment in farming technology, stricter standards for government catering contracts to prioritize British produce, and a 25-year farming strategy aimed at long-term resilience.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw called the inheritance tax policy 'morally wrong' and warned it could force many family farms out of business, urging the government to reverse the decision.
Supporters of the tax argue it will reduce large-scale tax avoidance and promote diversified land ownership, but critics fear it will disproportionately harm small-scale farmers and food security.