Today I’m backing our farmers in Westminster. They’ve left their farms and come to Parliament to try to get Labour to Listen. The Chancellor’s family farm tax will devastate farms across the country – including over 250 farms in Faversham and Mid Kent which are at risk.
Before the election Labour told farmers they wouldn’t do this and yet they are. It’s a misguided policy: trying to crack-down on a small minority but in reality lumping struggling farmers with hundreds of thousands of pounds to pay each year if their parent dies. Money that they simply won’t have unless they split up their farms. Land and machinery are expensive, but I know countless farmers who barely break even most years.
This will also hit your pockets when British produce becomes more expensive. Labour’s decision to put up inheritance tax for farmers, national insurance contributions for employers and the national minimum wage to above inflation levels will likely be passed onto consumers. This comes right after we worked so hard to get inflation down from 11% to 2% when in government.
Then there’s food security. We need to grow more British food – which is impossible without our farmers. And made harder when Labour’s put up the price of British food compared to imported food.
Please show your support by signing the petition to stop the family farm tax which you can do here https://www.whatlaboursaid.com/stop-the-family-farm-tax
While the Government’s huge majority means Starmer doesn’t need to listen, I would still expect Ministers to want to understand how their legislation is affecting people and to look to improve it.
I know the last few years have been tough but since being an MP I have always stood up for farmers and will continue to do so.
