The Scottish Conservatives are urging the UK Labour government to show some 'common sense' and maintain agriculture property relief in today's Budget.
Shadow rural affairs secretary Tim Eagle and Gordon and Buchan MP Harriet Cross have made the joint call saying any changes would be “devastating” for family farms across Scotland and the United Kingdom.
Harriet led a debate in Westminster last week on the issue while as a sheep farmer in Moray, Tim knows how crucial the support is to farmers across his Highlands and Islands region, and across rural communities.
However, Tim and Harriet are saying there is 'huge concern' among local farmers that Labour could be about to break their manifesto promise, which they say would demonstrate how “disconnected” they are from the reality facing them on a daily basis.
They have urged the Chancellor to ensure that her first Budget puts the needs of the agriculture sector “front and centre” and that the resources are there to promote and protect food security, enhance our natural environment and ensure that the industry can thrive going forward.
Scottish Conservative shadow rural affairs secretary Tim Eagle MSP said: “Any changes to agriculture property relief would be devastating for family farms across the country.
“Labour must listen to our farmers, show some common sense, and rule out any changes in relation to inheritance tax in tomorrow’s Budget.
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“There is huge concern among the sector that the Chancellor is about to deliver a hammer blow to their future prospects. Given that their election manifesto featured less than 100 words on farming, any changes would confirm they are not interested in standing up for their interests.
“This relief support is absolutely crucial for our farmers and must be maintained by Labour going forward.”
Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan Harriet Cross said: “Since I was elected, I have been fighting at every turn to urge Keir Starmer’s Labour Party to confirm they will keep this vital support in place.
“I know how important it is not just for farmers across Gordon and Buchan but the UK as a whole and they will be watching the Budget with a close eye.
“It is not too late for the Chancellor to rule out any changes, rather than continuing to create this uncertainty for the sector.
“If any changes to agriculture property relief are introduced then it will show how disconnected Labour are from the reality facing our farmers on a daily basis, or how little they understand how these changes would be a hammer blow for them going forward.
“We will see in tomorrow’s Budget whether Labour are prepared to put agriculture and food security front and centre of their plans for government, or whether they will be ignored, just as they have experienced under 17 years of SNP rule in Scotland.”
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