Farmers from a much-loved Sussex farm say they worry about whether they will be able to pass the land down to future generations after changes to inheritance tax.
Three generations of the Passmore family, who own Coombes Farm in Lancing. turned out to join the farming protest in London on Tuesday calling for a government U-turn on changes to inheritance tax for farms scheduled for 2026.
The changes, farmers say, threaten food security – with one saying the policy is a “bit of a swipe” at hard-working people putting food on plates for people across the country.
Fifth generation Passmore farmer Andrew Flake who has been helping to run Coombes Farm for over 10 years, said making a living off farming was no longer sustainable and had led to farms being forced to diversify.
The 30-year-old said: “For us to make a living off the land is almost impossible.
“To come out with this tax jeopardises it for the next generation. To not be able to pass the land on to our children, that’s the whole point of doing it.
“It feels like a kick in the teeth. Everyone is scared about whether their children will be able to afford to farm.”
Thousands of farmers took to the streets of London on Tuesday to protest against plans to chance how agricultural property relief (AGR) works from 2026.
Under new plans, AGR will no longer mean family farms are passed down completely tax-free, but rather will only give a tax-free allowance on the first £1 million of a farm’s value.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed said “only about 500 estates” would pay more under the scheme but the National Farmer’s Union said Defra figures showed two thirds of farms were worth more than £1 million, The Guardian reported.
Andrew, sister Pamela Peacock and parents Jerry and Jenny Flake set off for London at 4am on Tuesday having tended to the farm in the morning.
Andrew also took his three children, aged five to one, to the march, adding the event was “amazing” to see the support from fellow farmers and members of the public.
Jenny said: “We have been at the farm since 1901. The church yard here is full of our ancestors and my grandchildren will be the sixth generation of farmers.
“We are here to produce food to feed everybody. We need to be able to carry on farming.
“If we have to start selling our land to pay this tax it won’t be viable and won’t be here for generations like it should be.”
In a statement, Steve Reed added: “Farmers are the backbone of Britain, and we recognise the strength of feeling expressed by farming and rural communities in recent weeks. We are steadfast in our commitment to Britain’s farming industry because food security is national security.
“It's why we are investing £5 billion into farming over the next two years – the largest amount ever directed towards sustainable food production, rural economic growth and nature’s recovery in our country’s history.
“But with public services crumbling and a £22 billion fiscal hole that this Government inherited, we have taken difficult decisions.
“The reforms to agricultural property relief ensure that wealthier estates and the most valuable farms pay their fair share to invest in our schools and health services that farmers and families in rural communities rely on."
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