Grieving Aberdeenshire farming family left 'distraught' over inheritance tax plans

A grieving farming family based near Huntly in Aberdeenshire, have been left "distraught" by the UK Government's proposals for an inheritance tax.

Gordon and Buchan MP Harriet Cross spoke of how Sarah and her family, who have farmed beef and sheep for over 70 years, were left devastated by the unexpected and sudden death of their mother earlier this year at the age of just 58. She said they were then hit by the Labour government's budget proposals while they were still 'trying to come to terms' with their bereavement.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in her October 30 budget that farms would no longer get 100% relief on inheritance tax, and from April 2026 will have to pay 20% tax on farms worth over £1million.

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The announcement has sparked anger among farmers who say this will mean higher food prices and lower food production, in addition to the possibility of having to sell land to pay for the tax.

A petition from the Conservatives was lodged calling on Labour to ditch the proposals. It has since gathered 140,000 signatures.

At Prime Minister's Questions, Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan, Harriet Cross, asked: "Sarah and her family have farmed beef and sheep in my Gordon and Buchan constituency for over 70 years. They have always planned for Sarah’s sister to continue the family legacy.

"Sarah’s mother died very suddenly and unexpectedly earlier this year. She was just 58.

"What had already been a tragic year for the family became even worse following the budget, with Sarah telling me: 'We are absolutely distraught by the announcement relating to Agricultural Property Relief. It has really hit us hard while we’re already struggling to cope with bereavement and the loss of mum.'

"What would the Prime Minister say to Sarah’s family, who, at a very human level, have been left devastated by the family farm tax?"

In response, Starmer asked for Sarah's details to be passed on to him so he could "have a look at the case".

He added: "In relation to farming more broadly, as she knows, £5 billion was set aside in the budget over the next two years as an investment in farming.

"That is the biggest amount that has ever been set aside....The Conservatives actually failed to spend the last farming budget by £300 million. On the question of inheritance of family farms, it is important to bear in mind that in a typical case, which is parents passing to a child, the threshold is £3 million, and that is why, as she knows, the vast majority of farms will be totally unaffected."