Inheritance tax U-turn fails to ease farmers' anger at Labour

Labour raised the threshold for inheritance tax on farms from £1m to £2.5m as a pre-Christmas U-turn, but farmers at the Oxford farming conference remained angry and staged protests.

Labour's environment minister faced a hostile reception at the Oxford farming conference after a budget move to apply inheritance tax to farms provoked protests. The government later increased the threshold for taxing inherited farmland, describing the change as a response to concerns. Many attendees still expressed anger about broader rural policy and how the matter was handled. Ministers said the recent amendment was the final concession on the issue. Key points: - The government raised the threshold for inheritance tax on inherited farmland from £1m to £2.5m in a pre-Christmas reversal. - Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds encountered protests and critical remarks while speaking at the Oxford farming conference. - Industry groups including the National Farmers' Union and the Country Land and Business Association welcomed the change, but some farmers continued to express strong dissatisfaction. Summary: The threshold increase reduced some immediate industry concern but did not restore trust among all farmers, who highlighted broader worries about rural policy. Ministers have said there will be no further concessions. Undetermined at this time.