Local politicians urge Burnham to ‘grow a backbone’ and scrap Family Farm Tax
John Lamont MP and Rachael Hamilton MSP have urged Andy Burnham to scrap the Family Farm Tax in his first budget as Prime Minister.
The local politicians said that Burnham should fully reverse Labour's changes to Inheritance Tax to stop families from being forced to sell their farms.
John Lamont MP and Rachael Hamilton MSP have signed a letter alongside all Scottish Conservative MPs and MSPs warning that Labour's changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief are causing great harm.
Borders MSP Rachael Hamilton said: “Labour’s Family Farm Tax risks doing permanent damage to Borders farming communities.
“The consequences of continuing with this policy could be severe. There could be less home-grown food on our shelves and supermarket bills could rise.
“Food security should be a national priority yet Labour is making life more difficult for farmers to put food on our tables.
"Andy Burnham must do the right thing and scrap the Family Farm Tax."
Borders MP John Lamont said: “Andy Burnham needs to grow a backbone and end Labour's cruel Family Farm Tax.
“Families who have spent generations building up their farm should not be forced to sell up instead of passing it on to their children and grandchildren.
"Labour's policy risks losing farms for good, costing jobs and weakening our local economy. Andy Burnham must change course before it's too late."
