A Lanarkshire MSP has slammed Labour’s “family farm tax” announced in their Budget.
Central Scotland Conservative MSP Meghan Gallacher says the changes announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to agricultural property relief and business property relief will deliver a “devastating” blow to family farms in the area.
The Tories have now launched a petition at www.stopthefarmtax.com urging Labour to U-turn and Meghan has called on everyone to sign it to send Labour the strongest possible message.
Meghan says Labour have “shamefully” broken their promise to farmers after now DEFRA secretary Steve Reed said last year that his party had no plans to change agricultural property relief.
She said: “Labour’s family farm tax will be devastating for family farms in Central Scotland.
“The changes introduced by the Chancellor show how disconnected Labour are from the sector and the needs of farmers in Central Scotland who are already facing major challenges.
“Labour said last year that they were not planning any changes to agricultural property relief. Now they have shamefully broken their promise made to farmers.
“That is why the Conservatives have launched a petition urging Labour to U-turn. I encourage everyone in Central Scotland to sign it to send Labour the strongest possible message.
“Labour are clearly not interested in supporting farmers in Central Scotland and those who simply want to pass down their family farm to the next generation.
“I will continue to stand up for farmers in Central Scotland to force Labour into reversing this awful decision, which could spell the end for family farms.”
Ms Reeves wants to remove the longstanding tradition that allowed farms to be freely passed on to the next generation by imposing 20 per cent inheritance tax on assets above £1 million from April next year. But she has been urged to u-turn on this and show she supports farming.
The National Farmers’ Union has labelled the plans “disastrous” for the industry. The government said the change will only affect about 2,000 estates a year.
Jane Bassett, from the NFU, said: “We were hopeful of a new working relationship with this government to support us in producing climate-friendly food here in the region.
“All this is now at stake, as many farms will be unable to have any chance of handing over to their families to continue to produce food in the region.”
The government said it was still committed to supporting farmers and “the vital role they play to feed our nation”.
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