Axe Family Farm Tax - Helen tells Parliament

Helen Morgan MP spoke up for hundreds of farmers in Shropshire as she called on the Government to “axe the family farm tax” and cancel its planned changes to inheritance tax.

The North Shropshire MP addressed Parliament as thousands of farmers descended on Westminster and gridlocked roads with tractors in protest against the Labour government.

She highlighted the devastating impact these reforms would have on farming communities in her constituency and warned that hundreds of families could be forced to sell off land or shut their farms down entirely.

Helen also dismissed claims that the policy would curb tax avoidance, arguing that it penalises genuine farmers while allowing wealthy landowners to continue using farmland for tax benefits.

North Shropshire is one of the most rural constituencies in the UK, boasting over 1,000 farms covering 62,000 hectares, the proposed changes to inheritance tax relief for farms have struck a nerve. More than 700 constituents signed the petition which led to the Parliamentary debate.

The farming industry is already under immense pressure due to rising inflation, poor implementation of the Sustainable Farming Incentive, and unfair trade deals that undermine UK food production.

The North Shropshire MP warned that if the Government does not act, the sector could face further devastation, with even more farms forced to close.

Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire, said, "713 people from my constituency signed this petition, and it's easy to see why. The Government itself estimates that 288 farms in North Shropshire will be affected—that’s over a quarter of all farms in the area. Many will have no choice but to sell off land rather than invest in their future. That is simply unacceptable.

"Charging 20% inheritance tax with a decade to pay it off is still a far more attractive option than paying 40% now—this policy does nothing to deter those who land bank for tax purposes. Instead, it punishes those who dedicate their lives to producing food for the nation.

“We cannot afford to lose more family farms. They are vital to our economy, our food security, and our environment. The Government must protect the farming budget and reverse this ill-thought-out policy before it causes irreparable damage. Let’s axe this family farm tax before it’s too late.”

Citing the case of Robert, a farmer near Oswestry whose family has worked their land for 120 years, Helen painted a stark picture of the financial strain on small farms, adding: "His farm is valued at £6 million, but his annual income is only £60,000. Even with the Treasury's proposed dual relief, he would face a liability that could wipe out his income for at least a decade. This is not sustainable."