Shadow minister meets Dumfries and Galloway farmers to discuss so-called 'family farm tax'

A family has expressed its concerns about changes to inheritance tax rules in a meeting with the shadow farming minister.

Robbie Moore MP visited the family farm of the Bells, who have worked their land near Dumfries since 1922.

Tom and Sheila Bell worry that reforms to inheritance tax will make it difficult for their son, Graham, to take over the farm, claiming that he would "have to sell" if hit with a tax bill.

The couple, who are in their eighties, told ITV Border they must "keep themselves fit for the next seven years" to avoid this outcome.

Mr Bell, who was born on the farm, said: "It will make a serious difference to Graham. It could finish him, he'd have to sell one of the farms at least.

"It's always been a hard job working on the farm, working to re-invest in buildings and cattle. But it'll be even harder in the future."

Mrs Bell added: "You always assume it will just pass on. It's not just farming, it's also those businesses allied to farming that are suffering badly."

Other farmers also attended the meeting, what they called an 'emergency summit'.

Andrew McCornick, a Dumfries beef and sheep farmer, said: "Our industry is going to suffer badly. A lot of people, especially the older generation, will not have time to get their estates in order.

"We thought we had ours in order, and we're spending a lot of money correcting it. All of that, and trying to make a living from farming, is becoming very very challenging."

In the latest budget of two weeks ago, the Chancellor announced a tweak to the policy which would allow spouses to transfer any of their unused inheritance-tax-free allowance.

On this change, Robbie Moore MP said: "That just does not go anywhere near far enough.

"The average size of a farm is about 200 acres, and when you value the farm land, a farm house, there might be a cottage or two, the crops, the stocks in store, the machinery, the livestock, you are going to be well over that £1million threshold."

In response to these concerns, a Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson said: "We're backing farmers with a record £2.7 billion a year to grow their businesses and put more British food on our plates.

"Our inheritance tax changes protect public services while keeping it fair – three quarters of farm estates will pay nothing, and the rest pay half the usual rate, spread over 10 years interest free."

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