The impact of Inheritance Tax changes on Lancashire farms was one of several issues raised by farmers as they met with two Labour MPs at Myerscough College recently.
Maya Ellis, who represents Ribble Valley, and her Lancaster and Wyre counterpart Cat Smith hosted a farmer engagement event earlier in November, in collaboration with the college and the National Farmers Union.
There is currently simmering anger within the farming community over Labour’s decision in the last Budget to impose a 20 per cent Inheritance Tax (IHT) on agricultural assets valued at more than £1 million from April 2026, something it has previously been exempt from.
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With farmers planning to protest in London once again this Wednesday, 26 November, to coincide with Rachel Reeves’ Budget, Maya acknowledged that IHT and Agricultural Property Relief (APR) were major concerns.
“Overall, the event was focused on the positive changes and mechanisms that can be put in place to create a strong vision for farming in the UK. Our conversations focusing on productivity and food security were also heard loud and clear and I’ll make sure to keep shouting loud about these issues.”
While Cat did not reference IHT directly after the event, she said that farms were central to the social fabric of rural areas in places like Wyre and Ribble Valley.
Writing on her website, she said: “Topics ranged from farm support schemes and supply chain fairness to the importance of reliable rural infrastructure, broadband, and transport. These might sound like practical concerns, and they are, but they’re also about the future of our rural way of life. When farms struggle, so do the villages, schools, and local businesses that depend on them.”
“Too often, decisions are made in Westminster without enough understanding of what life is really like in our small towns, villages, and farming communities. That’s something we’re determined to change,” she added.
To read a wide-ranging interview with Maya Ellis about the challenges of being a Labour MP in a rural constituency, click here: Ribble Valley’s first ever Labour MP Maya Ellis on the rise of Reform UK, her biggest challenges and her broad constituency – Blog Preston
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