Lib Dems criticise family tax change on farm visit

Ed Davey and Tessa Munt said they want more support for farmers

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey and MP Tessa Munt picked some of Somerset's famous strawberries on a visit to the county to highlight the importance of farming.

The pair were critical of the government's plan to tax inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m at a rate of 20% – half the usual rate - during a visit to Warren's Farm Shop in Draycott, near Cheddar.

The government said its inheritance tax reforms were "vital" and its commitment to farmers was "steadfast".

Mr Davey said: "If you look at the way farming works, the returns you get from capital investment in the land is very small. People are talking about selling up and that's heartbreaking."

Mr Davey added: "We need to be able to grow more of our food.

"This part of Somerset is well known for growing strawberries, certainly by the taste that's probably true."

MP for Wells and the Mendip Hills Tessa Munt, who joined Mr Davey on Tuesday, said the inheritance tax is going to be catastrophic for farmers.

"We need farmers. As time goes on and there are water stressors in the world and wars and climate changes, we are going to have to do something about making us more resilient," Ms Munt added.

"It's going to get far worse and far more quickly because that whole climate change issue is going to affect lots of countries."

The Treasury has told the BBC previously that "three quarters of estates will continue to pay no inheritance tax at all", describing the changes as "a fair and balanced approach" to help fix public services.