Farmers hold rally in Newbury over tax changes

  • Sarah Sladen is a land owner and runs a farm in Kingsclere in Hampshire.

Farmers have staged a demonstration in Newbury as part of the nationwide 'Axe the Tax' campaign.

They're calling for an immediate reversal of the decision to tax family farms - saying it will devastate businesses.

The government says the relief threshold means small businesses are protected while large estates contribute fairly, but farmers say it needs to be reversed.

Campaigners are demanding a policy reversal to the Agricultural Property Relief (APR). Credit: ITV Meridian

Sarah Sladen is a land owner and runs a farm in Kingsclere, in Hampshire, and said: As farmers, we've... generations we've farmed the land, we've been custodians of the land to hold it for the next generation.

"That's why we do it.

"We don't earn much money by it, but we are custodians to hand on to the next generation, and if we get taxed for that, it's not going to go to the next generations, and farming is not going to exist.

"We're not a very big farm - only about 500 acres, just under 500 acres - and that is not a viable farm, really.

"So, you're diversifying the whole time, just to find something that can make it wash its face.

"It's a way of life but we work hard to keep it there."

Farmers gathered in Newbury. Credit: ITV Meridian

James Read runs a beef and arable farm near Devizes, in Wiltshire, which has been operated by the same family since 1915.

He told ITV Meridian, when his father passes away his family won't have the ability to pay what he describes as "an unfair tax".

"It'll have to be sold or partially sold," he said. "Every time part of it is sold, we become less viable, and we're struggling to be viable as it is.

"There's no way round it.

"I'm the fourth generation - we've worked very hard to keep the farm in the family.

"We've paid paid into the system over the years through various different taxes, but we just don't generate enough income to pay this tax.

"Even at 20%, we can't pay it, it's unpayable."

  • James Read, Farmer

Eleanor Gilbert is a farmer from Rookery Farms, in Berkshire, and said she feels there's no future for her in farming.

She said: "Farming is hard. We're reliant on the weather, and I am technically sixth generation, but if the family farm tax hits, then there just wouldn't be a farm for me.

"It's really sad, because farming is what I do, it's my passion.

"I've done a degree in agriculture and crop management, which has cost me a lot of money, and it's sad to see that farmers are struggling at the moment with high inputs, the machinery, hire purchase, and at the moment, domestic food production is supported by diversification projects, and it just shouldn't be like that.

"We all need a farmer, and every meal does begin with a farmer."

Farmers say the Agricultural Property Relief (APR) will devastate family-run businesses. Credit: ITV Meridian

In a statement, a government spokesperson said: “We value our hardworking farmers.

"We listened to farmers and raised the relief threshold to £2.5 million to protect small family farms and businesses, while ensuring the largest estates make a fair contribution so we can deliver support for families and businesses, including cutting the cost of living.

"We have boosted funding by £65 million to help farmers manage drought pressures, protect crops and strengthen resilience for the future."

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