CLA joins tractor rally as pressure mounts on government to change course on inheritance tax
Tractors descend on London to send powerful message to Treasury, with CLA Deputy President addressing the crowds
CLA Deputy President Gavin Lane has delivered an address at the latest tractor rally outside Downing Street, as pressure mounts on the UK Government to halt its plans to cap vital inheritance tax reliefs for family farms and businesses.
As hundreds of tractors descended on London once again to protest at the tax changes, the CLA was among the organisations taking to the stage.
The protest, organised by Save British Farming, came ahead of a debate in Parliament triggered by a petition that attracted nearly 150,000 signatures.
CLA Deputy President Gavin Lane said:
The government is hoping we’d move on, but these are our livelihoods we are defending. This issue will haunt them until they see sense
"The case against these tax reforms is only growing stronger, and we are working to bring the whole of British industry together for the common good.
“We are delighted to support the rally and thank everyone involved, and the public, for their backing.”
Gavin completed a number of interviews with national newspapers and broadcasters during the rally, highlighting the devastating impact the changes to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) will have on family farms and businesses.
Meanwhile the debate in the House of Commons was opened by Ben Goldsborough MP, a member of the Petitions Committee.
It was held in response to an online petition which urges the government to scrap the “family farm tax”.
House of Commons debate
Following a meeting with the CLA external affairs team, Ben Goldsborough highlighted concerns from rural businesses about the impact of these proposed tax changes, as well as our estimate on the number of businesses that will be affected by the proposed cap.
He was joined by Harriet Cross, Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan, in calling attention to the CLA's modelling on the impact these measures will have on the profitability of the average farm and how they will force farms into selling land.
Also of note was the number of Labour backbenchers who stood up to ask the government to consult on or mitigate the worst impacts of the measures for the first time - following intensive lobbying from the CLA.
This included Dr Julia Buckley, MP for Shrewsbury, who called for a taper to ensure that these measures do not hit farmers who will pass away within the next seven years. In addition, David Smith, MP for North Northumberland, called for a clawback to be instigated to ensure those who want to continue working the land would not be affected by the tax. Summing up this change of heart from some within the Labour Party was the MP for Bishop Auckland, Sam Rushworth, who noted there was no shame in the Treasury looking at the measures again.