Andy Burnham opens dialogue with farmers in the UK — The Guardian
In the United Kingdom, Andy Burnham's team is trying to restore relations with farmers, which deteriorated after tax changes under Keir Starmer's administration. As The Guardian reports, ministers are meeting with farming activists and visiting farms.
Farmer Ollie Harrison, who works land near Liverpool, said he received a message from Burnham during the campaign for the Makerfield by-election. According to him, there had previously been virtually no dialogue between the government and agricultural sector workers. During a summer visit to farmers, Burnham acknowledged that the authorities still had to rebuild their trust and that the country needed to guarantee its own food production.
Protests over inheritance tax
Farmers' dissatisfaction intensified after the 2024 budget, which provided for new tax rules, including on inheritance tax. Protesters, including television presenter Jeremy Clarkson, travelled to Westminster on tractors. They said that tax payments could significantly exceed farm incomes and lead to their closure.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
According to the Office for National Statistics, a record 6,300 businesses in forestry, fishing and agriculture ceased operations in the country last year. Some of the publication's sources link this to the tax changes, although extreme weather conditions and inflation were also named among the factors.
Possible changes to the budget
Government sources confirmed to The Guardian that, ahead of the next budget, the possibility of easing inheritance tax for farmers or increasing funding for nature-friendly farming is being considered. One Labour MP representing a rural constituency also called for new funds to be allocated to the agricultural sector and for products from British producers to be purchased more actively for the public sector.
Environment Minister Angela Eagle has visited farms in recent weeks, including Harrison's farm and that of farmer Martin Williams in Herefordshire. At the same time, a Country Land and Business Association survey showed that none of the farmers surveyed said they were ready to vote for the Labour Party again.
