Taxing times leads to worry, anguish and crippling anxiety - Jill Thorp

The last couple of weeks have not been the best for the farming industry.

Talking about or even getting remotely involved in anything political is something both Paul and I avoid at all costs. I’ve long since lost faith in anyone south of the Watford Gap (outside of Yorkshire!) sitting in a position of power with the ability to help the average hard-working person.

With social media playing such a huge role in our lives, however, it’s been difficult to ignore the recent shocking announcement from Westminster. It came as no great surprise that farmers were going to be hit hard so I don’t think any of us have exactly been blindsided by it, but the waves of dismay, anger and frustration have been palpable. At this present moment in time the reality of the current Government’s legislation on inheritance tax has yet to fully sink in, with the degree of support from the general public at this stage being very split.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It has caused me untold upset to see this level of worry, anguish and crippling anxiety to so many of our brilliant, hardworking farmers, who without a shadow of a doubt deserve so much better. We are, and always will be, one of the most important and necessary industries who should be supported, encouraged and as a whole the nation should be proud of our exemplary welfare standards and produce. But instead we are targeted and made to keep going, keep producing under completely unrealistic and unworkable circumstances.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves.Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

To hear of people becoming so desperate that they can no longer see a tomorrow leaves me heartbroken and somebody needs to be held accountable for this current state of affairs. I was told recently that everyone has to pay inheritance tax on houses, so why should farmers be any different. My response was, we do pay tax, just like every other working person out there. That tax, however, should not take away a lifetime of work. It should not destroy businesses and livelihoods and prevent children who will have contributed already to the running and viability of the farm from being able to continue.

Many farms go back multiple generations, hundreds of years of families working the land, tending to livestock and feeding an increasingly ungrateful nation. We, like many, have worked long hours for well below the national minimum wage in all weathers and will continue to do so, despite the barriers others are putting in place. Whilst new housing developments and fields covered in solar panels may seem creditable, these schemes reduce our productive growing land, pushing us ever closer to a massive food shortage. I don’t profess to be knowledgeable about politics but what I do know is that threatening our food security and biting the hand that feeds you is not going to end well.

During the renovation works, our TV aerial was inadvertently damaged meaning we now have no working TV. It’s saved us the misery of the news and we have been spared any latest curveballs to be hurled from Westminster. However, as the little guy pointed out whilst comfortably ensconced in front of the TV at my Mum’s, “You’ll just have to talk to one another now. It’s how they lived in the olden days.”

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

News you can trust since 1754
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice