Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Farmers: Inheritance Tax

Wednesday 29 October 2025 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Farmers in Wales face significant challenges from changes to inheritance tax and the sustainable farming scheme.
  • Over 85% of active farms in Wales are projected to face inheritance tax bills exceeding their incomes.
  • The Welsh Government and Minister urge opposition parties to work constructively to support farmers and public services.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Bool Con South Northamptonshire
Taxation Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

A Pembrokeshire farm gathering showed the economic reliance of local businesses and employees on farms, with almost half of the 11,000 jobs dependent on farming incomes.

Question

The impact of changes to IHT goes beyond farmers. A Pembrokeshire farm gathering last month included 57 businesses from various sectors like vets, machinery dealerships, milk processors, electricians and fencing companies, employing nearly 11,000 people with almost half totally reliant on incomes from local farms. Have the Government fully considered the ripple effect of that policy on farms in Wales and across the UK, including South Northamptonshire?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Anna McMorrin)

This Government want to strike a fair balance between supporting farmers and fixing our public finances. The vast majority of farmers will not be affected by this change, and they will be able to pass the family farm down to their children. Welsh Conservatives voted to block support reaching Welsh farms in March, which shows that the Conservative party just does not care for farmers and the agricultural community.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the specific economic impact on businesses dependent on local farming.

How: Blaming Conservatives

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Q2 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Taxation Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The National Farmers' Union Wales reports that over 85% of active farms in Wales will have IHT bills exceeding their income, posing an economic disaster.

Question

Welsh farming is central to the Welsh economy. However, it faces a double whammy from the sustainable farming scheme and inheritance tax changes. Over 85% of active farms in Wales face IHT bills that exceed their incomes, spelling economic disaster. Why is Labour deaf to farmers' voices?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Anna McMorrin)

Our reforms aim to strike a fair balance, fixing our public finances after Conservative chaos while maintaining support for families and farms. The majority of those claiming agricultural property relief will not be affected by the changes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address why Labour is perceived as deaf to farmers' voices.

How: Blaming Conservatives

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Q3 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Wales Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Plaid Cymru and Conservative Senedd Members voted against £300 million funding for Welsh farmers, causing uncertainty.

Question

Welsh Government published an outline draft budget with support for public services and farmers. Will the Minister join in urging Opposition parties to stop political games and work constructively to ensure certainty for farmers?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Anna McMorrin)

Welsh Government published an outline draft budget and are working with Opposition parties to ensure broad support. The question is whether Opposition parties will vote against billions in public services funding, including vital support for farmers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the Minister's ability to urge opposition collaboration.

How: Blaming Opposition

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Q4 Mims Davies Con East Grinstead and Uckfield
Taxation Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

A fifth-generation Pembrokeshire farmer, Charles Rees, is concerned about an unaffordable IHT bill of £1 million due to government reforms.

Question

Charles Rees, a fifth-generation Pembrokeshire farmer battling cancer, shares his concerns about an unaffordable IHT bill of £1 million affecting his son running the farm. Despite reassurances from Ministers, Charles and other farmers fear for their livelihoods, way of life, future, and food security. Will the Government scrap the family farm tax?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Anna McMorrin)

Reforms mean that the majority of those claiming relief will not be affected. There will be no change and no U-turn on IHT, as confirmed by the Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address farmer concerns about livelihoods, way of life, future, and food security.

How: Reiterating Policy Without Addressing Concerns

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