MPs accuse government of 'betraying' farmers

Oxfordshire Lib Dems, including Henley and Thame MP Freddie Van Mierlo (left), said the Labour government "continues to sell [British farmers] short"

Lib Dem MPs have accused the government of "betraying Britain's farmers" as a national campaign supporting the industry moved into Oxfordshire.

MPs Olly Glover, Layla Moran, Calum Miller, Charlie Maynard and Freddie van Mierlo said: "Years of neglect threaten the future of local food security and rural livelihoods".

The campaign Trailer of Truth, organised by Farmers to Action, was in Thame as part of a nationwide tour calling for government action ahead of the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.

The government said it was working with the farmers to build a more profitable farming system with food production at its core and providing a record £11.8bn for sustainable farming.

One major issue for the campaigners is a change to inheritance tax . Previously they had 100% inheritance tax relief on all assets. From next year they will have pay 20% tax - half the standard rate - on assets over £1.5m or £3m if the farm is owned by a couple.

The campaign is encouraging people to write messages to their MPs on its banners or to post personal letters into a mobile post box fixed to the trailers.

Campaigner Derek Pearce said it was "very important to us that we represent them as we come out through the country".

"I think certain markets like Thame is a primary example where they still retain the cattle market," he said.

"Cattle markets have become few and far between ... and they're an integral part of the agricultural network."

Witney MP Charlie Maynard (right) said he hoped the government would "change course" before the planned changes to inheritance tax were implemented in April 2026

Oxfordshire Lib Dems said the Labour government continued "to sell [British farmers] short and risk our nation's food security and animal welfare".

"From unfair taxes on family farms to slashing Defra support for young farmers, Ministers are making it harder for the next generation to survive in agriculture," they said.

Charlie Maynard, who represents Witney, said he hoped the government would "change course" before the planned changes to inheritance tax were implemented in April 2026.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) said farming "plays a central role in our mission to kickstart economic growth".

"Our reforms to Agricultural and Business Property Relief are vital to fix the public services we all rely on", it said.

"Three quarters of estates will continue to pay no inheritance tax at all, while the remaining quarter will pay half the inheritance tax that most people pay, and payments can be spread over 10 years, interest-free.

It also said it was providing a record £11.8 billion for sustainable farming and had appointed former NFU president Baroness Minette Batters to recommend new reforms to boost farmers' profits.