South Devon MP wants 'fighting chance' for farmers

'This government doesn't understand them'

A Devon MP has added her voice to calls for the government to axe what protesters are calling the ‘family farm tax’.

“After spending 14 years being let down by successive Conservative governments, farmers now face a Labour government that doesn’t understand them,” said Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon Caroline Voaden.

Farmers from around the country descended on Westminster to protest against the changes announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves in her recent budget.

Since 1992 the agricultural property relief system has meant that family farms can be passed down tax-free in order to encourage families to stay in the farming business.

But as from April 2026 there will be restrictions on the tax relief available, and inheritance tax will have to be paid.

Labour says small family farms in places like rural Devon will not be affected, and only around 500 estates a year will pay more under the new scheme.

But many farmers believe the tax changes will cause major harm to the vital food industry.

Seven South Devon farmers met Mrs Voaden to raise their concerns for the 797 farms in the constituency.

She called on the government to reconsider its stance on tax and direct payments to farmers.

“By failing to do so, we are not giving farmers a fighting chance of sustainably and profitably feeding the nation and protecting our natural environment,” she said.

“All the farmers I’ve spoken to across South Devon are seriously concerned about the impact of the new family farm tax. They recognise not only the risk it poses to our food security but also the drastic changes it could make to farming life as we know it.

“The Liberal Democrats are standing up for rural communities and calling for an axe to the family farm tax that would be disastrous for farmers across South Devon. I am urging the government to change course.”