Furious farmers slam Labour's 'lack of transparency' over family farm tax

Over a dozen groups have slammed the Government for a "lack of transparency" after claiming the workings of its family farm tax is not in the public interest. The National Farmers' Union and the Country Land and Business Association are among the organisations to have penned a letter to the demanding it release the information.

The government has refused to provide evidence to back up Treasury Minister James Murray's claim that the clawback alternative to its inheritance tax changes would raise "much less" revenue than the current reforms. Under the scheme, 100% would remain but inheritance tax would be applied to assets if sold within a certain period of time post-death, payable out of the proceeds of the sale.

Victoria Vyvyan, CLA president said: "The impact of the government's inheritance tax changes is casting a long shadow over the future of farming and family businesses.

"In response to a CLA Freedom of Information request about the research into the 'clawback option', the Treasury says it is not in the public interest to explain itself. We disagree - we think it is very much in the public interest to know what data they used and how.

"Our ask is clear. If, as the Exchequer Secretary has said, the clawback alternative would raise 'much less' than the Treasury's reforms - show us.

"There has been no consultation, no impact assessment published and now no details given to support their claim that the clawback would raise less money than the proposed approach. The businesses affected deserve an accountable and transparent Treasury and this policy has been tainted from the start with being autocratic, and opaque."

The Daily Express has campaigned for the Government to U-turn on its inheritance tax raid through the Save Britain's Family Farms crusade.

The Chancellor said that from April 2026, combined agricultural and business property assets up to £1 million will still receive 100% relief but anything above that will be taxed at an effective rate of 20%.

Asset rich farmers who are cash poor fear they will have to sell off their land - making it unviable for food production - to foot the tax bill.

Responding to the CLA's FOI request, the Treasury said there is a "strong public interest in protecting information where release would be likely to have a detrimental impact on the ongoing development of policy".

It said the requested information "relates to a broader policy to be included in future legislation, which is yet to be finalised, published in draft, or receive Royal Assent so this area is still subject to scrutiny".

This is despite ministers, including the Prime Minister, repeatedly stating in Parliament that the policy is final and will not change.

Farming minister Daniel Zeichner told the Future Countryside conference yesterday (tUES) was pressed on the issue by the Express and NFU President Tom Bradshaw.

When asked by the Express why the Government will not come clean on its analysis, Mr Zeichner initially said "the figures are absolutely available and out there".

But farming union boss Mr Bradshaw hit back at the minister. He said: "We have asked for the modelling around the clawback proposal to be released and the Government is refusing to release it, despite saying it's been done."

Mr Zeichner said: "In terms of those figures, Treasury is making its decisions on this. This is not a Defra decision but I understand the point you're making and I will go back and talk to James [Murray] about it."

A government spokesman said: "The vast majority of estates claiming these reliefs will still pay no additional inheritance tax, and those that do will pay a reduced rate and be able to pay over 10 years interest-free. This is a fair and balanced approach to help fix the public services we all rely on.

"We are also investing £5 billion into farming over two years, the largest amount for sustainable food production in our country's history, and are going further with reforms to boost profits for farmers by backing British produce and reforming planning rules on farms to support food production."