A WORCESTERSHIRE MP has offered her support to farmers for the reverse of a tax which risks 'killing off the whole family farm sector', calling the Budget a 'kick in the teeth' for farmers.

West Worcestershire MP Dame Harriett Baldwin met with a delegation of farmers who travelled from Worcestershire to London as tens of thousands descended on the capital to protest against changes to inheritance tax rules.

Dame Harriett met with them to hear of their concerns about the changes in the tax rules which may force them to sell off their businesses.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives have said the Government is eyeing up a further tax raid on farmers under its economic plan of “Starmerism”.

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart used Prime Minister’s Questions to ask the Government to rule out further increases to inheritance tax or changes to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) during the current Parliament.

Farmers warned Dame Harriett that some farmers are already halting investment in their business and planning to scale back operations ahead of the tax changes.

More than 10,000 farmers gathered in the capital to call on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to reverse the proposal announced in the last Budget.

Dame Harriett said: “Farmers descended on Westminster from all over the country to show their anger at the Labour Party betrayal of their vital businesses and I took the time to meet with farmers from my own constituency as part of their protest.

“This is a kick in the teeth of hard-working farmers who have put food on our table through good times and bad. and often have passed their farms through many generations.

“Our rural way of life is at threat, and I hope that the message has been received loud and clear. This tax change must be reversed before it has a terrible impact on our food and farming sector.

“As well as damaging many rural businesses this will inevitably impact on food prices as farmers start to plan for the extra tax bills they may have in the future.

“Each farmer I met is warning of the dire consequences of this tax change and I repeat my call on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to do the right thing and bring an end to this terrible farm tax.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed said: 
 
“Farmers are the backbone of Britain, and we recognise the strength of feeling expressed by farming and rural communities in recent weeks. We are steadfast in our commitment to Britain’s farming industry because food security is national security.  

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  “It's why we are investing £5 billion into farming over the next two years – the largest amount ever directed towards sustainable food production, rural economic growth and nature’s recovery in our country’s history. 

 “But with public services crumbling and a £22 billion fiscal hole that this Government inherited, we have taken difficult decisions.   

“The reforms to Agricultural Property Relief ensure that wealthier estates and the most valuable farms pay their fair share to invest in our schools and health services that farmers and families in rural communities rely on."