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Family Farming in Northern Ireland
28 October 2025
Lead MP
Carla Lockhart
Upper Bann
DUP
Responding Minister
Dan Tomlinson
Tags
TaxationNorthern Ireland
Word Count: 4388
Other Contributors: 8
At a Glance
Carla Lockhart raised concerns about family farming in northern ireland in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The policy is stifling growth and preventing investment in farm improvements and equipment, threatening the future of family farming in Northern Ireland. The Government should recognise that this unique nature of farms in Northern Ireland means they are predominantly family-owned and should be exempt from changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The proposed changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief will have devastating consequences for family farms across Northern Ireland, which are the backbone of rural life. Over 26,000 farms in Northern Ireland form a significant part of the agrifood industry and provide work for tens of thousands of families.
Ben Goldsborough
Lab
South Norfolk
He presented solutions to the problem including a Centre for Tax Reform policy that could raise income by 71% and suggested separating APR and BPR. Asked about the impact of yield declines due to drought on farmers' ability to pay increased inheritance tax.
Dan Tomlinson
Con
Bridgwater and West Somerset
Responded that CenTax research concluded half of affected estates would see a less than 5 percentage point increase in their effective inheritance tax rate, with most paying from non-farm assets.
Gavin Robinson
DUP
Belfast East
Asked whether the Government should recognise that policy changes could affect even small family holdings of 30 acres, which would be caught by the proposed policy change in Northern Ireland.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Agreed with his hon. Friend about Northern Ireland's significant contribution to food production in the UK, representing around 3% of the population but producing a multiple in terms of food produce.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Argued that contrary to the government's claims, the policy is anti-growth and discourages investment, instead forcing farmers to hold back money for inheritance tax liabilities. Cited a CenTax report suggesting an alternative proposal to impose full-blooded inheritance tax on those above £10 million without affecting smaller estates.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Emphasised the mental health impact on farmers and highlighted that many farms are at risk of being lost due to policy changes, leading to a generational loss in farming communities.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Agreed with the hon. Lady about the negative impacts of proposed changes on Northern Ireland farmland, noting that it would be much higher than elsewhere across the United Kingdom due to high land values. Expressed concern that the £1 million threshold is insignificant given the high value of farmland and other assets, arguing for a more nuanced approach.
Tim Farron
LD
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Asked if the Minister had seen a University of Cumbria report stating that upland farmers will earn only 55% of the national minimum wage, highlighting financial hardship.
Government Response
Dan Tomlinson
The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury
Government Response
Acknowledged the strength of feeling on this topic and explained that reforms were necessary to restore economic stability. He highlighted data showing that relief was heavily skewed towards wealthy estates, with almost half of agricultural property relief claimed by just 7% of estates. The Minister also discussed the CenTax report's analysis and maintained that the Government's approach was fair and sustainable. Acknowledged varied views on inheritance tax reforms but argued they support farms and businesses while funding public services, maintaining a lower rate compared to most assets.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.