New Chairman of CLA Isle of Wight branch: ‘Tax changes will hit hard-working farmers who produce our food’

The new Chairman of the Isle of Wight branch of the CLA, Alex Haig-Thomas, has urged the government to reconsider capping vital inheritance tax reliefs that will hit family farms.

Mr Haig-Thomas replaced Colin Boswell at a committee meeting yesterday (Monday), in one of the most important rural roles on the island.

Mr Haig-Thomas was brought up on the Essex-Suffolk coast where his family has farmed for three generations, before moving to the Isle of Wight in 2012. On the island he manages a diversified estate consisting of forestry and let grassland, furnished holiday lets and outbuildings used for weddings and rented office space.

He becomes chair at a time when farming is rarely out of the news headlines. In the recent Budget, the Chancellor announced that vital inheritance tax reliefs that help farmers pass on their businesses from one generation to the next will be capped, leading to fears across the industry that family farms would have to sell land to pay tax bills, hitting food security. The CLA is campaigning for the reliefs – known as agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) – to be protected.

Mr Haig-Thomas said: “Farmers and landowners work long hours, day after day often including weekends, for very low incomes. APR and BPR allowed them to pass on their family businesses to the next generation, producing value for money food.

“Rachel Reeves’ family death tax will force them out of business, will cost consumers more and raise very little income. It must be stopped.”

Mr Haig-Thomas is a passionate advocate for the island's countryside and its UNESCO Biosphere status, and believes its designed natural landscape “underpins its status as a popular holiday destination”.

He added: “Of course the more productive land on the island should be prioritised for efficient food production, which is incredibly challenging on an island with all the extra associated costs.”

Mr Haig-Thomas, who has introduced renewable energy generation on his estate including wood chip boilers and ground and air source heat pumps, is looking forward to his new role. He said: “I’ve been on the Isle of Wight CLA committee for the past five years and am keen to ensure membership numbers continue to grow through offering outstanding professional services and social gatherings throughout the year.”

As Isle of Wight branch Chairman, Mr Haig-Thomas will be representing farmers, landowners and rural businesses across the island.

CLA South East Regional Director Tim Bamford said: “We wish to place on record our sincere thanks to Colin for his tremendous work, ideas and enthusiasm over the course of his chairmanship.

“We are delighted to welcome Alex into the role and look forward to working closely with him over the next few years.”

Outgoing Chairman Mr Boswell said his three years in the chair’s seat had been “characterised by the resurgence of the local community after Covid”. He added: “We now have two MPs rather than one, which should ensure every representation for the Isle of Wight, giving our branch an enlarged political role.

“I wish Alex a very busy time.”