"We're in the footballer haven Cheshire Golden Triangle and we're being punished for it"

Carolyn Richardson and Angela Sidebottom always had a clear vision of their careers, following in the agricultural footsteps of their father and grandfather. Now both in their 50s, they've dedicated decades to cultivating their family's land in Cheshire.

At 53, Carolyn spearheads operations at Turner House Farm in Mottram St Andrew, set within the affluent and celebrity-favoured confines of the so-called 'Golden Triangle' in Cheshire. Meanwhile, her sister Angela manages the affairs at close-by Brook House Farm.

Between them, they tend to a substantial herd of 320 cattle and roughly 2,000 ewes spread across their farms. Their father Alan Slater, who passed away in 1999, would have been proud.

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Their mother Stella, now an octogenarian at 80, plans to bequeath the farms to Carolyn and Angela in homage to their years of dedication and to ensure their financial stability.

However, Stella's peace of mind was shattered by a clause in the recent budget. Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves has declared that, starting April 2026, agricultural inheritances over £1m will incur an inheritance tax at 20 percent - a considerable cut from the standard rate but a heavy new burden for some farming families, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has lambasted the policy as "disastrous", with numerous farmers forewarning that the measure could ravage rural communities. To voice their displeasure, a massive demonstration is expected outside Parliament on Tuesday, with attendances possibly swelling to tens of thousands.

Amidst this outcry, there's concern among ageing farmers who may find themselves too short on time to utilise current regulations that allow avoiding inheritance tax by transferring assets seven years prior to one's passing.

The frustration is palpable in rural communities across the country, reaching as far as Greater Manchester's doorstep. Stella expressed her shock to the Manchester Evening News at a public meeting near Knutsford this week, organised to discuss and coordinate local opposition to the plans: "I felt as if someone had hit me in the guts".

"I haven't slept. It's as if we've been hit by a train. I should have the right to pass on land that's been in the family for generations. Because they know to handle it. They know what to do with it, they have the machinery to work it. Farmers work in a bad environment and lots of them get injured. It's a very dangerous profession. It's not like being a doctor."

"We're being lumped in with multi-millionaire landowners" she continued. "Our farms are in the Golden Triangle, the footballer belt. As a result, they'll pile it on us, but we're merely producing food, just the same as the land up on Kinder Scout with a couple of sheep, or anywhere else."

"Rachel Thieves, as I call her, gave the best scenario which makes her look good. She has made out this isn't going to affect many farmers and I can categorically tell you, she's wrong. She's just trying hoodwink everyone" Carolyn said.

"The value of these farms can sound a lot but by the time you've totted up livestock, land, machinery, and buildings, it really isn't it. My daughter is married to a poultry farmer, he's just put a new shed up and it cost him half a million. For one shed."

"Unfortunately because of where we are, you don't get many acres for (our) money. But you still need the same acreage to make a living. It's just unfortunate we happen to be here, in an affluent area, and I feel like we are being punished for it. People might say we've chosen to live here but someone has to farm the land here."

Angela expressed her frustration: "We produce food for the country. That's our job. It's what we do. We feed people. But we're categorised as wealthy landowners, but we're not, its so wrong. One of these farms has been in our family since 1938. So I'm a fourth-generation farmer right here in Mottram."

She highlighted the widespread impact of the situation: "Everyone we know who is farming will be affected by this. We will either have to sell land to pay this tax, which means we'd have to scale back our business, which reduces our production and our ability to make money."

The potential long-term effects were clear as she continued: "Or we'd have to borrow money over many, many, years to pay it. But that would impact on not just us but our children. I have three children and two of them have grown up farming on the family farm. It could end up falling on their shoulders."

"Our future is very uncertain now. We're being penalised for working hard" she added, voicing her concerns about the future.

Stella, Carolyn, and Angela joined approximately 50 local farmers at The Crown Inn pub in Lower Poever on Wednesday night, where they convened to discuss the contentious measures and strategise protests against them.

Also present was Rob Mitchell, 31, who manages the neighbouring 320-acre Moseley Hall Farm. The farm is also home to the renowned and beloved Lambing Shed Farm Shop and kitchen, operated by Rob's sister Kathryn, 35.

The property is under the ownership of Mike Mitchell, now 76, who inherited it from his father, Arnold Mitchell, who acquired it back in the 1950s.

Rob expressed his frustration, saying, "All the work they've done is for nothing now" He lamented the idea of generations working tirelessly on the farm only to face such setbacks, adding, "Why spend generation after generation working the farm, to pass it on, just to be hit by this."

He reflected on his family's modest lifestyle, noting, "They've not spent lavishly. They could have just sold it. Say for example, the farm is said to be worth five million, my dad has never realised that during his life. You never really own a farm, you just look after it for the next lot."

Rob highlighted his father's dedication to agriculture over personal gain, stating, "He could have sold it and packed off to Barbados, but he hasn't, because he wants to produce food. And I don't think people realise how much farmers subsidise themselves, to keep the food affordable. So I feel sorry for dad and others like him."

He estimated that the measures in question could potentially cost him and his sister "a couple of million" upon inheritance, leaving both siblings deeply concerned about their future. Despite the challenges, Rob remains determined, asserting, "Until I had to give up, I wouldn't give up. I would only sell it if I had to. As we are just so used to producing food".

Rob concluded with a poignant remark on the disconnect between politicians and farmers: "It's as if we have to make politicians understand our situation but how can they not already understand and appreciate what we do for this country."

Mike expressed his disappointment, stating: "I'm devastated really. I didn't think they would go for it. It's a kick in the teeth. People might say 'well sell up' but it's not what you do. I took it on from my dad."

He voiced concerns about the potential impact on food prices and farmers' motivation: "I think this will make food more expensive. And will farmers be as enthusiastic about working seven days a week when they know 20 percent is going to be taken away when they die? ".

During the meeting, Esther McVey, the Conservative MP for Tatton, addressed the frustrated crowd, saying: "After the budget, I have had so many people contact me from different walks of life saying 'my god my life has been thrown up in the air somewhat.' But none more so than the farming community who have told me they will destroy farming moving forward."

She pledged to collaborate with the National Farmers Union, parliamentary colleagues, and other groups to push for changes and raise awareness about the policy's far-reaching consequences: "I'm working with the National Farmers Union (NFU), colleagues in the house and other groups to see what can we do to change what is in place, and for the government to realise how many people are going to be impacted."

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) issued a statement, asserting: "The government's commitment to our farmers remains steadfast. It's why we have committed £5 billion to the farming budget over two years more money than ever for sustainable food production."

"We understand concerns about changes to Agricultural Property Relief but the majority of those claiming relief will not be affected by these changes. They will be able to pass the family farm down to their children just as previous generations have always done."

"This is a fair and balanced approach that protects the family farm while also fixing the public services that we all rely on."