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Cameron and Blunkett Join Calls to Scrap Family Farm Tax

Their public break with Labour increases pressure on the government by highlighting claims that taxing farm assets on death could force family sales and weaken rural economies.

Overview

  • On Monday, former prime minister David Cameron and former Labour home secretary Lord David Blunkett spoke at a packed London rally urging the government to abandon the Family Farm Tax.
  • The levy was first set out by then‑chancellor Rachel Reeves as a 20% charge on inherited farm assets above £1 million before ministers raised the threshold to £2.5 million after rural protests.
  • Rural groups brought tractors to Westminster, launched a “rural reset” campaign listing 27 disputed policies, and say many working family farms remain vulnerable because farm value is tied up in land and buildings rather than cash.
  • The Treasury and No.10 say the higher £2.5 million threshold will protect most farms and that tax decisions rest with the Chancellor, while right‑leaning outlets have amplified a ‘Save Our Family Farms’ campaign.
  • Campaigners warn the tax could force asset‑rich but cash‑poor families to sell land on a relative’s death, which they say would harm local jobs, food supply and Labour’s standing in rural constituencies.