Letters and responses to our MP

Dear Anna...

This is your Page to see who's written to and what response you got from Anna Gelderd MP. It's a great opportunity to give a background on who you are, what you've been concerned enough to write to her about and what the reply said.

Dear Anna...

Do you support British farming?
Farmers Movement Cornwall campaign to support British farming and the full restoration of national food security therefore it is with dismay that we learnt of your plans in the recent budget to place the threshold for payment of inheritance tax at £1 million pounds worth of combined land and property value with an effective rate of 20% above that level.

This will spell the end for many farms caught in the net through the unexpected death (within the 7 year period from the date of transfer) of the parents who handed down the estate. It will force land or other assets to be sold in order to pay the tax due and it will contribute to the non financial viability of many farms by reduction of their size.

This is a disastrous policy for farming and is seen by many as the last straw in a war of attrition that has been waged against the sector since the protectionist policies of Clement Attlee in the post war period.

Can you please confirm if you will be supporting this budget proposal and if so why.

Regards

Louisa Hawken

06.11.24 21 November 2024 (Case Ref: AG2283)

Dear Louisa,
Thank you for writing with your concerns about inheritance tax and its impact on the farming community. I understand your frustration and share your deep commitment to supporting the farming way of life, especially in Cornwall, where agriculture is such a vital part of our heritage and economy.The issue of inheritance tax, particularly in relation to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR), is one I take very seriously.

I have been listening closely to the concerns of local farmers, notably many from multigenerational family farms, who fear that changes to the inheritance tax rules could place an additional burden on them, making it even harder for future generations to continue the farming tradition.Farming in South East Cornwall is often more than just a business; it is a way of life, passed down through families for generations.

I appreciate that Cornwall, as one of the poorest areas in the UK, cannot afford any policies that may push farmers closer to financial hardship. With the current economic pressures such as rising input costs, the removal of direct payments, and the squeeze from the retail sector, farmers are already facing a difficult financial reality.That’s why I have been actively engaging with the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and liaising with local farmers to understand the full scope of the issue and to ensure that the Government is aware of how these changes will affect those farmers in our area.

I recently had a productive meeting with local NFU members, and their concerns about the potential impact of inheritance tax reform were clear. We must ensure that any policies take into account the unique circumstances of farmers here in South East Cornwall, especially those whose assets may be tied up in land, buildings, farm machinery or livestock but who do not have the immediate cash flow to pay for inheritance tax.

Food security is critical, and it’s more important than ever that we stand by our farming communities. The £5 billion commitment from the Government for sustainable food production is a positive step, but we must continue to push for more support to ensure that our farmers are not left behind. That includes ensuring fair pricing for their produce, improving biosecurity, and preventing trade deals that undermine local farming standards.

Rest assured, I will continue to raise the concerns of farmers in South East Cornwall with Westminster and work to ensure that our agricultural community is represented. In the first case, I will be working with my Cornish colleagues to build a clearer picture of how policies impact farmers here. I will also keep pushing for the support that farmers need, such as removing barriers in the SFI application process and focussing on rural crime.

Please do let me know if there is anything further I can help you with.
Best wishes,Anna

Vision

This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content and make sure to add any relevant details or information that you want to share with your visitors.