Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Darren Millar MS, heard first-hand how the UK Government’s death tax is damaging family farms in Wales when he visited a farmer in Monmouthshire.
Accompanied by the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Peter Fox MS, Darren met with Paul and Nigel Land at Great House Farm.
The farm was started by Nigel after the Second World War, and is now worked by Nigel, his children and grandchildren.
Over the years, it has been built up and become more successful. However, now, as a result of the unfair farm tax, it is under threat.
Previously, farming businesses qualified for 100 per cent relief on inheritance tax on agricultural property and business property. But now the tax is being imposed on farms worth more than £1 million.
Darren and Peter Fox MS spoke to both Nigel and his son Paul, about the impact the change will have on them.
Darren raised their case with the First Minister in the Senedd Chamber recently:
He said
“Yesterday I visited Nigel, a farmer in Monmouthshire. With nothing but determination, he started with a rented plot, worked every hour that God sent and built a farm of his own. His wife, children and, later, his grandchildren joined in these endeavours, securing a future for the next generation - or so they thought. Because just as Nigel, who's now in his 80s, allowed himself to dream of stepping back and hanging up his wellies, and watching with quiet pride as his family carried out his life's work, and continued it, to feed this country, that dream was shattered by the UK Government's hammer-blow decision to tax more family farms by making changes to inheritance tax.”
Darren called on the First Minister to respond to Nigel, “and thousands like him across Wales” who he said “now see their children and grandchildren robbed of a future in the farming industry that they love”.
Speaking after his visit to the farm and his question to the First Minister, Darren said:
“The way in which our farmers are being treated it absolutely appalling. I have visited several farmers now across Wales who are all telling me the same thing, this tax is devastating their livelihoods.
“In my question to the First Minister on Tuesday, I also highlighted a tragic case of a farmer diagnosed with cancer shortly after the budget. He was so concerned about the implications of the inheritance tax on his farm that he decided to decline all treatment as he wanted to ensure that he died before the changes are implemented in April. The man sadly died in recent days.
“It is absolutely appalling that farmers feel they have no choice but to go to such lengths in order to protect their farms for their children and grandchildren.
“These changes will cost lives and livelihoods in rural Wales. It is high time that the Labour Government stand up for Welsh farmers, rather than standing by while the UK Government milks them dry.”
Peter Fox MS added:
“The stress farmers are under because of the UK Labour Government’s decision to impose a damaging tax hike on family farms is a real worry.
“Speaking to Nigel and Paul it was clear that this additional pressure is hitting hard. They have grafted all their lives and play a vital role in putting food on our tables.
“Nigel has built up a thriving business, which he thought he could pass on to future generations of his family, but all that is now in jeopardy.
“The visit was extremely insightful and has made us more determined that ever to continue fighting for our farmers.”
