Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has launched a scathing attack on Labour’s inheritance tax policy for farmers, branding it a “terrible policy” amid widespread rural protests.
The MP dismissed government figures about the policy’s impact as “complete rubbish,” accusing officials of simply “parroting” numbers without proper research.
Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe fumed to GB News: “I think the figure the government is completely wrong, and all they simply do is come up with a figure and then they parrot it, like they do with the £22billion black hole, they created most of that.
“But they parrot on about that, they just use automatons. So I’m afraid we’ve got government, which I don’t think does its research.
Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe blasted the governments figures
GB News
“It basically wants to make what they’re saying fit what they’re doing, and I don’t need a calculator to work out that what they’re saying is complete rubbish.
“It’s even worse, given that Steve Reid on numerous occasions before the election said there would be no changes to agricultural property relief, and he’s simply resigned on that.
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“So I think this is a terrible policy. I think the state is wasting money everywhere.
“To break the backbone of Britain with the small businesses and the farms is bonkers, but Labour seem to be doing their best to upset everybody.
“They’ve upset the pensioners. The private schools, which ultimately were one of our best exports, are being damaged by an extraordinary policy which ultimately I think will cost the government money.”
Hundreds of farmers gathered in Westminster yesterday to protest against Labour’s proposed changes to inheritance tax for agricultural businesses.
Farmers protesting against the changes in LondonGetty
The demonstration coincided with Prime Minister’s Questions, as tractors lined up along Whitehall from 10am.
Under Labour’s autumn budget, inheritance tax would be extended to agricultural land, with a rate set at 20 per cent and a 50 per cent relief available.
Currently, the first £325,000 of an estate is exempt from inheritance tax, with amounts above that taxed at 40 per cent.
Farmers argue they are bearing the brunt of a system that the wealthiest use to avoid paying inheritance tax altogether.
The farmers are protesting against what they describe as “toxic” Budget change
GB News
The farmers are protesting against what they describe as “toxic” Budget changes, including both the inheritance tax revisions and an accelerated withdrawal of EU-origin subsidies.
The government has maintained it will not change course on the inheritance tax policy despite the protests.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed emphasised the government’s “unwavering” support for farmers.
The government has allocated £5bn to the farming budget over two years, including “more funding than ever before for sustainable food production,” according to Reed.
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