TV presenter accuses Government of being ‘anti-farming’ as MPs prepare to vote on tax raid
Jeremy Clarkson has accused Labour of making life “absolute hell” for farmers ahead of a crucial vote on a tax raid on the sector.
The veteran TV presenter, who owns a farm in the Cotswolds, claimed the Government’s decision to impose a 20pc inheritance tax rate on agricultural assets of more than £1m was contributing to “despair” in rural communities.
He said: “It’s absolute hell now for farmers; we have an actively anti-farming Government that is making things extremely tricky for us all.
“I’m genuinely really cross, as there’s no one in Government who understands farming.”
Speaking on a podcast recorded to promote an event for farmers he is organising, Mr Clarkson added: “We have got to get together to do something about this Government.”
The Diddly Squat Farm owner has previously been highly critical of Rachel Reeves’s raid on farmers, which critics have dubbed “the family farm tax”.
A Government-commissioned review into farm profitability will be published later this month, and is expected to note that the tax raid will put pressure on rural businesses.
Farmers have voiced their fierce opposition to the raid, defying a ban to drive their tractors to Westminster on Budget day last month. Several were arrested for protesting against the Government.
MPs will hold a crucial vote in Parliament next week on the legislation setting out the family farm tax, when Labour’s Finance Bill gets its second reading.
An initial vote last week saw more than 30 Labour MPs abstain. One Labour MP, Markus Campbell-Savour, from the rural Penrith and Solway constituency, was suspended from the party after voting against the Government’s plans.
More have spoken out against the Government’s plans since Mr Campbell-Savours’ suspension. Terry Jermy, Labour MP for South West Norfolk, told Farmers Guardian magazine: “The future of farming in this country depends on the Government’s policy on tax being right.”
Mr Clarkson criticised the tax raid on a specially recorded podcast to promote a farming festival on Diddly Squat Farm next June. The former Top Gear presenter bought the property, which covers 1,000 acres, for £6m in 2008.
He said the event will be an opportunity for farmers to work out how they can move forward in the face of political turmoil, adding: “Events like this are really important for farmers to be able to come together to overcome isolation and worry.”
Charlie Ireland, an Oxfordshire land agent, presented the podcast. Mr Ireland has appeared regularly on Clarkson’s Farm, the Amazon TV show following events on the Diddly Squat Farm.
Mr Ireland said government policy had deterred farmers from investing in their businesses. He said: “It’s about having confidence to invest in the future, and farmers and businesses don’t have that at the minute.”
A Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs spokesman said: “This is a Government that backs farmers. We’ve extended the seasonal worker visa scheme for five years and Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier agreements for 5,000 farmers, while protecting British farmers in trade deals and unlocking new markets for British produce across the world.
“Through new technology, streamlined regulation and investing billions through our nature-friendly farming schemes, we’re helping to create a more profitable and resilient farming sector.”
