Budget Family Farms 2024-12-19
2024-12-19
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP notes concerns about the Autumn Budget's impact on family farms, particularly regarding inheritance tax.
What assessment has been made of the impact of the autumn Budget 2024 on family farms. I am concerned that research shows 75% of commercial farms will exceed the £1 million threshold for inheritance tax and face potential bills up to £1.5 million, jeopardising their future.
The Government has committed £5 billion to agriculture over two years and is investing £60 million in the farming recovery fund. Concerns about inheritance tax are acknowledged, but over 75% of claimants would not be affected according to the last available data.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP's specific request for reconsideration was not directly addressed with a commitment or timeline.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlights the unprofitability of farming due to previous government policies, and welcomes Labour's new deal aiming to improve profitability over 25 years.
Merry Christmas. Our hard-working farmers in Calder Valley want a living wage from farming not land tax avoidance. After 14 years of neglect by the last Government, farmers now face unprofitability issues. I welcome our new Labour deal for farmers and the 25-year roadmap to profitability. Can you assure me that Calder Valley farmers will receive their fair share in this new deal and the improved countryside stewardship higher-tier scheme next year?
My hon. Friend, while acknowledging the shadow Secretary's past statements, confirms that farmers need to be profitable businesses and our new deal includes supply chain fairness to ensure profitability for the future.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific assurance requested about Calder Valley was not directly addressed with a commitment or timeline.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raises concerns about the biosecurity of family farms with avian influenza, bluetongue, and African swine fever spreading. He mentions the need for a £2.8 billion project to redevelop the Animal and Plant Health Agency's headquarters in Weybridge.
Merry Christmas. The autumn Budget jeopardises family farms and biosecurity. With avian influenza, bluetongue, and African swine fever spreading, central biosecurity is crucial. The Weybridge facility needs £2.8 billion for redevelopment but received only £1.2 billion from the previous Government. Labour has committed £200 million, which falls short. Will you confirm full project completion with the remaining £1.4 billion to protect national security and prevent disease outbreaks?
I acknowledge the hon. Gentleman's point, noting Conservative failure in previous commitments. The £208 million will start improvements, and further funding will be considered through the spending review phase.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific commitment to complete the remaining £1.4 billion was not directly addressed with a timeline or pledge.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP expresses dismay at the Government's family farm tax policy, which he claims will affect many low-income farmers. He also notes a 76% cut in basic payments and criticises policies disincentivising food production.
Merry Christmas to all here and beyond. Farmers are devastated by the Government's family farm tax, affecting those earning less than minimum wage, with cuts up to 76%. The agricultural policy actively disincentives food production despite our country producing only 55% of its needs. This is a threat to national security. What plans do you have to change your policy and support farmers in producing food?
The hon. Gentleman raises important points. Changes to agricultural property relief show most claimants will not pay anything based on the last available data. Unlike previous policies, we want farmers to succeed through supply chain fairness and stopping trade deals that undercut them.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific request for policy changes was not directly addressed with a commitment or timeline.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raises concerns about the impact of changes to agricultural property relief, noting that a family in his constituency faces an £1.5 million inheritance tax bill, threatening their ability to continue farming.
Has the right hon. Gentleman seen research showing 75% of commercial farms will exceed the £1 million threshold and become liable for inheritance tax? A family in West Hanningfield who have farmed five generations say they face a potential £1.5 million bill, ending their aspirations. I plead with the Government to reconsider.
Of course we hear concerns, but over 75% of claimants would not be affected based on last year's data. Farms can do succession planning in the usual way to avoid additional payments.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific request for reconsideration was not directly addressed with a commitment or timeline.
Under Review
Response accuracy