FARMERS from across the Bridgwater constituency met with their MP, Ashley Fox, in Parliament last week to discuss the proposed changes to Inheritance Tax.

Thousands of farmers protested in Westminster on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, over proposed changes to Inheritance Tax. 

From April 2026, inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1 million, which were previously exempt, will be liable to Inheritance Tax at 20% (which is half the usual rate).

Television presenter Jeremy Clarkson and Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, were among those showing their support for the farmers. Ashley Fox MP also showed his support, alongside Shadow Chancellor and MP for Central Devon, Mel Stride.

Bridgwater’s MP has already expressed his opposition to the “cruel” impact the policy might have on farmers.

 “Not only have they underestimated and undervalued the farms affected by this harsh new tax, but the knock-on effects for the whole country could be disastrous”, commented Ashley Fox.

“It is why I stood beside our farmers from here in the Bridgwater constituency and those from across the country to show the Labour Government they have made not only a bad decision, but the wrong decision”, he added.

Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has insisted that the “vast majority” of farmers would be unaffected by the proposed changes to Inheritance Tax.

Data from HM Treasury shows that around three quarters of farmers will pay nothing in inheritance tax because of the controversial changes announced in the Budget last month.

But farmers have challenged the figures, pointing instead to data from Defra which suggests 66% of farm businesses are worth more than the £1 million threshold at which inheritance tax will now have to be paid.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) held a mass lobby of MPs on Tuesday as part of efforts to force a Government rethink, along with a separate rally that took place on the same day on Whitehall, opposite Downing Street.