The plight of farmers across Solihull West and Shirley were highlighted by their local MP, Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP, in a major rally against Labour’s Family Farm Tax plans on Tuesday 19th November 2024.
Despite Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Environment Secretary Steve Reed previously promising to protect farmers, under Government proposals, more than 100,000 farms across the country will be hit by new inheritance tax laws.
The new tax rules will be devastating for family farms and pose a serious risk to domestic food security and food prices.
A petition at stopthefarmtax.com has been set up for people to back British farming and oppose the new tax, while farmers gathered in Westminster on Tuesday in opposition to Labour’s plans.
They were joined by local MP for Solihull West and Shirley, Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, who says Labour’s political choice to target farmers is a cruel blow to the industry and will affect workers and consumers across the country.
Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP said:
Labour’s ideological decision to target farmers – despite promising not to do so – has the potential to wreck farmer’s lives and the whole agricultural industry.
Not only have they underestimated and undervalued the farms affected by this harsh new tax, but the knock-on effects for the whole country could be disastrous.
It is why I will always stand beside our farmers from here in Solihull West and Shirley and those from across the country to show the Labour Government they have made not only a bad decision, but the wrong decision.
Recently I met with a local farmer and NFU Midlands in Shirley, and we discussed the challenges the agricultural sector faces. At the event in Westminster, I discussed the policy with many of the attendees, including my constituent James from Braggs Farm, who told me of the severe consequences this policy will have on our nation’s food security. This shocking tax is ill-conceived and threatens the next generation of local farmers.
I will remain committed to helping local farmers fight this harsh new tax and by gathering together we showed Keir Starmer how poor his judgement is.
I would also urge constituents to sign our petition at stopthefarmtax.com.
NOTES TO EDITORS
A petition calling on Labour to reverse their Family Farm Tax can be found at stopthefarmtax.com
