Petition calls for 12-month amnesty on property relief

A new petition launched by farmer and campaigner Olly Harrison is calling on the UK government to introduce a 12-month amnesty on proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR).

The petition argues that this temporary pause would allow farming families time to transfer land and assets before any changes come into effect following the Autumn Budget 2024.

The proposed reforms, announced in the Autumn Budget, include a 20% levy on inherited business assets over £1m and tighter restrictions on agricultural property relief (APR) from April 2026.

See also: Save British Farming warns of severe food supply disruption

Supporters of the petition believe that a temporary pause would reduce the potential human cost of the policy shift, which they claim could place unnecessary pressure on ageing farmers and their successors.

Organiser of the petition, Mr Harrison said:

“We want people to know that this is not us offering a compromise to the government, it’s just a mechanism to get people away from the eye of the storm.

“We have heard of numerous cases of suicide over the last few months, so this is just a stopgap while we try and right the wrongs of the rest of the policy.”

Planning for future

According to the petition, the proposed tax reforms could be creating distress for farming families trying to plan for the future, particularly around succession and inheritance.

“You will have people like my dad who has spent their whole life working, now he thinks he’s a burden for being around.

“There are people with terminal illnesses who are wishing their life away, it could take that element out of it,” said Mr Harrison.

By allowing a limited window to restructure assets, campaigners say the amnesty would help those impacted better prepare, while giving the government time to reconsider the broader implications of the policy.

MP support

In support of the petition, Robbie Moore Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley said:

“The government has got to wake up urgently and listen to the negative consequences that IHT changes are having. 

“It has created huge financial pressures on farming businesses and huge challenges with mental health and wellbeing.

“I welcome any attention that puts a spotlight on this, including this petition. I do fear the government will throw it out and not pay any attention, as they have shown no indication of movement so far.

“I have spoken to farming charities, and they are concerned that elderly and sick farmers are coming with extreme levels of stress.

“It’s deeply saddening that the government isn’t listening at all to the impact these changes are having.”

The petition is open until 6 November 2025 and currently has 1,173 signatures.

A response from the government is triggered at 10,000 signatures, and if it reaches 100,000, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

The petition can be signed via the UK Government and Parliament petitions website.