Andy Burnham can save farmers by doing one thing at the Budget

Andy Burnham can save farmers by doing one thing at the Budget The Prime Minister is facing pressure from farmers over the inheritance tax raid Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments ANALYSIS By Katie Harris , Senior Political Correspondent 19:00, Sun, Oct 18, 2026 Andy Burnham is facing pressure from farmers over the inheritance tax raid (Image: Getty) It has been two years since Labour announced its devastating family farm tax. But the anger and upset over the controversial policy has not gone away in that time. Former chancellor Rachel Reeves used her first budget in 2024 to slap inheritance tax on farms worth over £1 million. Farmers were previously able to hand down their farms, which are often asset-rich but cash-poor, through the generations without incurring a bill from the taxman. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT The Government argued the change was needed to help pay for public services amid a black hole in the economy. But the tax raid sparked a furious backlash with tractors descending on Whitehall as part of a series of noisy protests. Get personal finance news, money saving tips and advice plus selcted offers and competitions I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Farmers have staged furious protests against the inheritance tax changes (Image: Getty) Andy Burnham issued huge demand over Labour's hated farm inheritance tax raid Critics raised fears over the impact on food security at a time when the UK is being hit by extreme weather and that the measure is stifling investment in farms. And there have been heartbreaking reports of farmers taking their own lives over the changes. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Sir Keir Starmer 's government was eventually forced into a major climbdown with the threshold raised to £2.5 million, or £5 million for a married couple, in one of the ex-premier's many screeching U-turns. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT But farmers and campaigners warn that the policy still threatens the break-up of many family farms across the country, who would be forced to sell off land to pay the 20% rate. Andy Burnham's arrival at 10 Downing Street has renewed calls for the inheritance tax raid to be fully scrapped as the new Prime Minister looks to build bridges with rural communities. There is speculation that the threshold could be hiked again or the change axed altogether in Chancellor John Healey's statement next week. But the big question is whether it will be enough for Labour to win back the trust of farmers and the countryside after this deeply damaging episode. Inheritance tax Andy Burnham Save Britain's Family Farms Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments