More than 90,000 people have signed a Conservative petition to “stop Labour’s family farm tax” as North East MSPs from the party took their fight to the Scottish Parliament.
Alexander Burnett, Maurice Golden, Tess White, Liam Kerr and Douglas Lumsden, along with party leader Russell Findlay, stood outside the front of Holyrood with boards stating “stop Labour’s family farm tax” to display their anger at the Chancellor’s changes for the industry.
It comes as the Scottish Conservatives, led by shadow rural affairs secretary Tim Eagle, secured a debate in Holyrood to highlight the “huge concerns” surrounding the proposals.
Outside parliament, North East MSPs warned changes to inheritance tax will be “the death of the family farm”, having spoken with farmers across the region.
A petition from the Conservatives urging Labour to ditch the proposals has now gathered 94,000 signatures, with the number continuing to rise.
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 £1 million.
The announcement has sparked anger among farmers who say this will mean higher food prices, lower food production and having to sell off land to pay for the tax.
New analysis by the Country and Land Business Association states a typical family farm would have to put 159% of annual profits into paying the new inheritance tax every year for a decade and could have to sell 20% of their land.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Alexander Burnett, said: “My colleagues and I made it clear outside parliament that Labour’s cruel family farm tax must be reversed to safeguard our farming communities for generations to come.
“Farming is the lifeblood of the North East and these deplorable tax changes could lead to the death of the family farm, crippling tens of thousands of families.
“This tax regime will have devastating consequences on a farmer’s ability to pass their business to their children and seriously threaten food security across Scotland.
“I hope today’s action and our debate in parliament, along with the excellent work of our MPs in Westminster, will finally sound the alarm bell for this Labour government to ditch their family farm tax.
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Maurice Golden added: “Labour’s blatant attack on family farms is disastrous for farming, rural communities, our economy and food security.
“Their response to the industry’s growing anger shows how devoid from reality Labour really are.
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“This is why at parliament, I, and my colleagues, have sent a clear message for Labour to urgently U-turn and ditch their family farm tax.
“Contrary to the Chancellor’s out of touch view on rural affairs, most farmers aren’t rich and are cash poor. They are struggling and need help from government, not a kicking.
“The Scottish Conservatives will continue to stand up for farmers in the North East to force Labour into reversing this awful decision, which could spell the end for family farms.”
