Farmers ‘in it for the money’, says Defra secretary Reed

Defra secretary Steve Reed has sparked fury after declaring farmers are “in it for the money”, during a heated Commons session addressing Labour’s controversial inheritance tax reforms and their impact on rural Britain.

Responding to MPs’ questions in parliament on Wednesday 19 December about the fallout from Labour’s changes to agricultural property relief (APR), Mr Reed said: “The shadow secretary of state, as well as the former prime minister, keep telling farmers they’re not in it for the money.

“We know that they are. They’re businesses that need to make a profit, and our new deal for farmers is designed to ensure profitability and success for the future.”

See also: NFU launches ‘Big Banner’ day to campaign against IHT

The minister’s comments follow Labour’s recent overhaul of APR, which will end the 100% inheritance tax exemption on agricultural assets over £1m.

Farming organisations including the NFU and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) argue the reforms threaten the viability of family farms.

Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron has warned that farming communities are “genuinely devastated” and many farmers earn less than the minimum wage.

Mr Reed’s remarks drew sharp criticism from Conservative shadow Defra secretary Victoria Atkins, who condemned the “human cost” of the reforms, citing a recent farmer death linked to fears of financial burden.

“In recent weeks, a farmer took himself off to a remote part of his farm and killed himself.

“The message he left his family is that he did this because he feared becoming a financial burden to his family, because of changes to inheritance tax,” she said.

Mr Reed accused Ms Atkins of “weaponising a personal tragedy”, prompting a backlash from her.

“How heartless and extraordinary that the secretary of state is more discomforted by being confronted with the consequences of his policies than the reality of what this policy ensures,” Ms Atkins hit back.

On social media, farmers expressed frustration with Mr Reed’s comments.

Staffordshire farmer Clive Bailye shared a photo of 15p vegetables in Tesco, questioning how farmers could make money under such conditions. “This abuse HAS to stop,” he wrote on X.