Harriet Cross and Russell Findlay have today urged the Prime Minister to fully reverse the changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief when the Autumn Budget is delivered on the 28th of October.
The letter, signed by all Scottish Conservative MPs and MSPs warns that the sector faces a “once in a generation crisis”, with more than 6,000 agricultural businesses ceasing trading since Labour’s Family Farm Tax was announced in October 2024.
It goes on to say that, as a direct consequence of the farming inheritance tax changes, three in five agribusinesses anticipate reducing capital investment in their businesses by up to 20 percent to save for future inheritance tax burdens.
The letter warns that without a thriving farming sector, food security, employment and our rural economies will suffer.
It adds that the Prime Minister previously indicated a willingness to look again at the removal of the Family Farm Tax. The Scottish Conservatives have urged him to finally listen to farmers and fully reverse these “damaging measures”.
Harriet Cross, Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan said: “The farming sector is facing a once in a generation crisis because of Labour’s damaging Family Farm Tax.
“More than 6,000 agricultural businesses have ceased trading and one in four have reduced their workforces since these cruel inheritance tax changes were announced.
“Farmers used to invest billions into growing the wider rural economy, but because of Labour’s anti-farming policies this is a luxury many can no longer afford.
“Andy Burnham should grow a backbone and use his first budget to fully reverse the farming inheritance changes.”
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay MSP said: “One in four family farms have already cut jobs because of Labour’s Family Farm Tax.
"If Andy Burnham refuses to scrap this spiteful tax it will sound the death knell for many Scottish farms and further harm our food security.
"Burnham claims to be listening. If so, he needs to do the right thing and get rid of the Family Farm Tax and the Family Business Tax."