MP says farmers 'feel betrayed' by government

Dozens of farmers held a protest in Warwickshire in January

Farmers feel "betrayed" by the government over its planned changes to inheritance tax, an MP has said.

From April 2026, agricultural assets worth more than £1m, which were previously exempt, would be subject to inheritance tax at 20%.

The government previously said it was a "fair and balanced" approach that would help to fix public services and only affect about 500 estates a year.

But Stratford-on-Avon MP Manuela Perteghella told BBC Politics Midlands smaller farms could be forced to sell off productive land.

"Hundreds of farms are going to be affected by these changes. Frankly, they feel betrayed by the government. They are going to have to sell their land," she said.

Ms Perteghella said the value of farmers' land did not equal their earnings and that many did not earn much more than the minimum wage.

"These are small family farms, and these changes will do nothing to discourage wealthy individuals who land bank for tax purposes," the Liberal Democrat MP added.

Manuela Perteghella said the changes will affect many small farms

A number of protests have been held since the policy was announced in October's budget, including when hundreds of tractors blocked Westminster last Monday.

Eddie Hughes, former Conservative MP for Walsall North, said farmers were not prepared for "this dreadfully pernicious tax", adding that there should have been more consultation.

"They [the government] categorically said in the run-up to the election this would not happen. It was said multiple times by all members of the cabinet, so it seems crazy we're in this position," he added.

Farmers lined their tractors up in Westminster to protest the tax changes

Representatives of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) are due to meet with Treasury ministers on Tuesday.

Adam Jogee, Labour MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, said he had spoken to farmers in his constituency and that it was important ministers listened to the "strength of feeling".

"I want to see our farming industry supported. I want them to feel they are part of how we move our country forward," he said.

But Mr Jogee said it was important to tackle the issue of wealthy individuals buying up farmland "because it suits them financially".

"This has to be a conversation that delivers real results for people sitting at the table," he added.