Cornwall Council passes motion against ‘family farm tax’

Cornwall Council has passed a “landmark” motion opposing the controversial “family farm tax” proposed in the government’s Autumn Budget.

The motion, led by Nick Craker, Conservative councillor for Liskeard, won overwhelming cross-party support at a council meeting in Truro on Tuesday (26 November), with 55 votes in favour, three against, and three abstentions.

It calls for the council’s leader to express its dismay to Defra secretary Steve Reed and Cornwall’s six MPs, urging the government to reconsider restricting agricultural property relief (APR) on inheritance tax (IHT).

See also: NFU president warns PM of serious impact of ‘family farm tax’

It also directs the cabinet member for environment and climate change to engage with local farmers and provide updates on support initiatives.

Cllr Craker said there was growing discontent among farmers about the government’s plans to impose IHT at 20% on farm assets worth more than £1m from April 2026, describing the policy as a threat to family-run farms.

Cornwall Council overwhelmingly supported the motion © Cornwall Council

“This isn’t just a tax issue; it’s an existential threat to a way of life integral to Cornwall’s identity,” he said. Fellow councillors echoed his sentiments, with many citing personal ties to farming.

Conservative councillor Anne Double called the policy “an attack on a way of life”, and fellow Conservative councillor Martin Worth highlighted the vital community contributions of farmers.

Liberal Democrat councillor Colin Martin urged the government to find other ways of raising funds without hurting farmers.

Speaking after the meeting, Linda Taylor, the Conservative leader of Cornwall Council, said: “Our farmers play a central role in our daily life in Cornwall, and it is vital we do all we can to stand up for them and to ask our MPs to pressure the government to change this policy which would be disastrous for the industry.”

Industry backing

The motion gained strong external backing from farming and rural organisations.

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, of the Countryside Alliance (CA), praised Cornwall Council’s leadership, urging other councils to follow suit. “The family farm tax threatens the future of British farming. Cornwall Council’s stance sends a clear message to Westminster,” he said.

The policy, part of the government’s plan to reform IHT, has drawn fierce criticism from the NFU, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and others for its potential to cripple many thousands of family farms.

© Adobe Stock

The motion builds on Cornwall Council’s history of championing local agriculture. In May 2023, it became the first council to endorse the CA’s campaign to source local produce and support farmers, a stance that has since been adopted by nine other councils.

With food security and farming livelihoods at stake, the CA said the vote signalled growing pressure on the government to rethink its approach.

However, the UK government dismissed the motion, claiming that three-quarters of farms would be unaffected by the tax and saying the money raised would help fund public services.

A government spokesman defended the measure as a “fair and balanced approach”, saying it would affect only 500 estates a year, with extended repayment options.