Bereaved son speaks of farmers' financial stress

Jonathan Charlesworth on his family's farm near Barnsley

The son of a farmer who took his own life has spoken about the financial pressures currently facing people working in agriculture.

Cattle farmer John Charlesworth, 78, who was known as Philip, was found dead last week at Broad Close Farm, near Barnsley, which has been run by the family since 1957.

Jonathan Charlesworth, 46, said the Silkstone farm's annual profit was only £15,000 and that income had mainly come from diversifying its operations by opening a campsite and activity centre.

"Farms are asset rich, but there isn't any cash in the system. What little bit we make, we live off," he said.

"It was his life and seeing that passed to the next generation, that was the aim," Mr Charlesworth said of his father.

Mr Charlesworth said his father had also been full-time carer for his wife, who has advanced dementia, which had added to his financial worries.

"The cost of her care could have been £50,000 a year. The kind of money soon eats into assets."

The Charlesworth family has farmed at Silkstone for generations

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) said there was increasing financial pressure on farmers due to high costs, record inflation, low farm returns and persistent bad weather.

Speaking recently, NFU president Tom Bradshaw said a combination of such factors had "resulted in a collapse in farmer confidence, which is at its lowest level since records began".

The most recent figures from the Office for National Statistics showed 36 farmers across the UK took their own lives in 2021.

Meanwhile, research by the Farm Safety Foundation charity, which was carried out this year, found most young farmers in the UK were worried about the impact of the job on their mental health.

In the government's recent Budget, it was announced that a 20% inheritance tax would apply to agricultural assets worth more than £1m from April 2026.

Previously, agricultural property tax relief allowed family farms, including land, buildings, and housing, to pass between generations tax-free.

John Charlesworth, known as Philip, pictured driving a tractor as a young man

Paying tribute to his father, Mr Charlesworth said: "In any other job you would have compassionate leave, but on a farm you're just working twice as hard."

"Although he was caring for my mum, he was still working on bits and bats," he added.

"My dad was a cracking bloke. A farmer through and through."

The government said it was unable to comment on this specific case, but offered its condolences to Mr Charlesworth's family and friends.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in our coverage you can visit the BBC's Action Line page for support and guidance.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.