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The Farmers Fight

(793 Posts)
Sarnia Mon 18-Nov-24 08:46:41

Infuriated farmers will be protesting against Labour's 'Tractor Tax' opposite Downing Street tomorrow. They are being asked not to bring farm machinery but I hope they clutter up Whitehall with every tractor and combine harvester they can lay their hands on. Reeves claims 'only' 20% of farms will be affected by her latest smash and grab raid but economists say it is nearer 70%. Has it not figured in her brain that if farmers, who already struggle to make ends meet, chuck in the towel, there will be a serious food shortage?

LizzieDrip Tue 19-Nov-24 17:25:38

Big mouth Clarkson, and 'socially acceptable. Ah, lol, hilarious

Exactly Fleupepper. Since when has Clarkson been in the slightest bit bothered about anything ‘socially acceptable’ coming out of his mouth.

I’m astounded that people on here are defending him. Takes all sorts I suppose🤷‍♀️

GrannyGravy13 Tue 19-Nov-24 17:30:56

It definitely takes all sorts

NotSpaghetti Tue 19-Nov-24 17:40:05

Kate1949

Clarkson was just interviewed by Victoria Derbyshire on BBC News. He said 'I bought a farm so I could shoot'.

But that's not what he said when he was buying it.

Personally I don't care why he bought it - but just saying.

theworriedwell Tue 19-Nov-24 17:49:46

David49

What I think will happen is that farmers will reduce production, by growing crops every other year thereby reducing the cost of chemicals and fertilizers. Rents will fall less machinery and labour will be needed, maybe that’s what the government want, as long as the replacement food can be imported there won’t be a shortage.

Traceability, food miles and welfare standards go out of the window.

Isn't that called cutting off your nose to spite your face? Surely reducing production will reduce their profits as well as their costs and unless they are running at a loss already they will just be reducing their profits. Strange thing to do if you are all so short of money.

mae13 Tue 19-Nov-24 18:17:13

So is Jeremy Clarkson the official spokesperson for the National Union of Farmers or is he not? The media are only interested in talking to him so I assume he is acting for the farmers in a recognised and elected capacity.

When did he get elected to the NUJ?

GranPepp Tue 19-Nov-24 18:17:50

ExDancer

Even if we have a change of government in the next few years, I doubt the farmers tax will be rescinded, its such a good money spinner. Small farms will disappear as sons won't be able to take on the family farms.
However, they now intend to build houses on greenfield sites so there soon won't be enough land left to grow food - you can't plough and sow on the mountain sides can you?
I hope the farmers bring their old smelly manure spreaders without cleaning them and drop mud and muck all over Whitehall.
History should tell them, if they look back at the start of WW2 when we almost ran out of food because we imported so much of it.

Bring it on 🫣 - substandard houses on greenfield that cannot ever grow crops again. Oh but we can just import food (chlorinated chicken) so it's fine 🤔. It's not even this generation of farmers (although it is a worry). Once their children sell off land to pay inheritance tax, making their farm smaller, what happens when the next generation dies and the grandchildren have to sell off even more land so the farm is even smaller, it's surrounded by the housing built on the previously sold off land. I am not a farmer. I am not and have never been connected to a farmer. Farmers grow our food. For heaven's sake, for food security, working farms must be passed down to next generation to grow our food. (if they don't or stop growing our food, that may be a different story)

GrannyGravy13 Tue 19-Nov-24 18:22:36

mae13

So is Jeremy Clarkson the official spokesperson for the National Union of Farmers or is he not? The media are only interested in talking to him so I assume he is acting for the farmers in a recognised and elected capacity.

When did he get elected to the NUJ?

He got a huge applause from the 1,000’s of farmers when he spoke in London today.

He is using his public profile to highlight the impact of this tax on the farming community.

foxie48 Tue 19-Nov-24 18:34:24

I think he's using his public profile to try to guard his own assets. I remember him talking about buying the farm to protect his assets but couldn't remember where it was. No one buys 500 acres of prime Gloucestershire land because they want to shoot! They buy 1000s of acres of Scottish moorland for a fraction of the price!

Jeanathome Tue 19-Nov-24 18:34:40

Maybe he could use it to speak out about one third of children in the UK being in poverty?

Or perhaps somebody higher up the foodchain could try?

Clarkson is an odious person. Out for number one and number one only.

Fleurpepper Tue 19-Nov-24 18:37:27

I'd rather trust and believe Johnson than Clarkson, truly

'"Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), an independent economy think-tank, told Sky News: "The changes will affect a remarkably small number of some of the most valuable farms." He added: "(Farms are) still more generously treated, actually, than farms used to be in decades past."
The Treasury estimates that 500 estates in property relief reform per year Dan Neid e, an independent tax expert, says the actual number of farms affected is likely to be below 500 a year.
There were a total of 462 inherited farms valued above £1 in 2021-22, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC):
• 345 valued at £1m-£2.5m
• and 80 at £2.5m-£5m
• and 37 above £5m.
Under the new rules, those 462 farms would be affected by the 20% inheritance tax on any value above £1m (not on the whole value). However, as Mr Neidle points out, like for the rest of the population, there is no inheritance tax to be paid on the value of property up to £325,000, bringing the untaxed total to £1.325m. If a farmer is married, his or her spouse would be able to pass on another £1.325m tax free, taking the total untaxed amount to £2.65m. There were 117 farms valued above £2.5m in 2021-22, according to the HMKC In addition, there is an £175,000 tax-free allowance on a main residence when it's being passed on to children or grandchildren. This brings the total untaxed amount for a farming couple to up to £3m."
Source: BBC website (who, let's remind ourselves, mentions none of the above in their TV and Radio coverage of the issue).
Now, assuming that less than a hundred farms are potentially affected by the closing of the tax-dodging loophole, that means that... 0.004% of farms will be affected. '

escaped Tue 19-Nov-24 18:42:18

mae13

So is Jeremy Clarkson the official spokesperson for the National Union of Farmers or is he not? The media are only interested in talking to him so I assume he is acting for the farmers in a recognised and elected capacity.

When did he get elected to the NUJ?

No.
The spokesperson should be the young farmer, (20 weeks pregnant), being interviewed on her farm, in the pouring rain, by Cornwall news, shown on TV this evening, saying that this would be the end after decades of her family farming.

GrannyGravy13 Tue 19-Nov-24 18:55:58

escaped 👏👏👏

Tilly8 Tue 19-Nov-24 18:58:30

I always find it interesting when certain communities of our society talk about their children’s inheritance. Looking back, not that very far, government never gave a second thought to ripping away the “job inheritance “ for miner’s sons, steel worker’s sons, dockers sons, etc. No group of people are exempt from major changes that affect communities for generations. This is a battle the farmers will lose even though they are convinced they are a special case.

LizzieDrip Tue 19-Nov-24 19:01:07

I still don’t get why it’s so ‘tragic’ for farmers to ‘be unable to pass on their inheritance to their offspring’ but it’s OK that thousands of people are forced to sell their homes to pay for care in their old age … they are also ‘unable to pass on their inheritance to their offspring’.

No protests for them!

Jeanathome Tue 19-Nov-24 19:09:19

Apparently it's tough when you are bereaved to have to deal with.

What is also tough is finding the money for a funeral.

Stella14 Tue 19-Nov-24 19:10:29

JudyBloom

All Inheritance Tax should be abolished!.

Actually I agree with the Economist who said it should be 100% public services, public housing, parks and other public areas could then be so well funded than no one would need to inherit to have a good life!

Allira Tue 19-Nov-24 19:11:18

LizzieDrip

I still don’t get why it’s so ‘tragic’ for farmers to ‘be unable to pass on their inheritance to their offspring’ but it’s OK that thousands of people are forced to sell their homes to pay for care in their old age … they are also ‘unable to pass on their inheritance to their offspring’.

No protests for them!

No comparison at all.

A parents' home will be sold, a family farm will pass down through the generations, producing food for you and others.

So little understanding on here of food production, it is quite frightening!

Allira Tue 19-Nov-24 19:12:33

Jeanathome

Apparently it's tough when you are bereaved to have to deal with.

What is also tough is finding the money for a funeral.

Pauper's funerals are provided by the LA.

Allira Tue 19-Nov-24 19:14:20

Tilly8

I always find it interesting when certain communities of our society talk about their children’s inheritance. Looking back, not that very far, government never gave a second thought to ripping away the “job inheritance “ for miner’s sons, steel worker’s sons, dockers sons, etc. No group of people are exempt from major changes that affect communities for generations. This is a battle the farmers will lose even though they are convinced they are a special case.

Honestly!

Did miners, steelworkers, dockers inherit their fathers' jobs?
Did they produce one essential to life - food?

😂😂😂

GrannyGravy13 Tue 19-Nov-24 19:14:43

Allira I agree, food production is vital.

When a farm has been in the same family for generations the knowledge is invaluable.

GrannyGravy13 Tue 19-Nov-24 19:16:09

All I can see on this thread is little understanding of rural communities.

Not everyone with a 4 X 4 is as rich as Croesus.

Allira Tue 19-Nov-24 19:16:10

GranPepp

ExDancer

Even if we have a change of government in the next few years, I doubt the farmers tax will be rescinded, its such a good money spinner. Small farms will disappear as sons won't be able to take on the family farms.
However, they now intend to build houses on greenfield sites so there soon won't be enough land left to grow food - you can't plough and sow on the mountain sides can you?
I hope the farmers bring their old smelly manure spreaders without cleaning them and drop mud and muck all over Whitehall.
History should tell them, if they look back at the start of WW2 when we almost ran out of food because we imported so much of it.

Bring it on 🫣 - substandard houses on greenfield that cannot ever grow crops again. Oh but we can just import food (chlorinated chicken) so it's fine 🤔. It's not even this generation of farmers (although it is a worry). Once their children sell off land to pay inheritance tax, making their farm smaller, what happens when the next generation dies and the grandchildren have to sell off even more land so the farm is even smaller, it's surrounded by the housing built on the previously sold off land. I am not a farmer. I am not and have never been connected to a farmer. Farmers grow our food. For heaven's sake, for food security, working farms must be passed down to next generation to grow our food. (if they don't or stop growing our food, that may be a different story)

GranPepp 👏👏👏

At least someone gets the point!

Allira Tue 19-Nov-24 19:18:14

GrannyGravy13

Allira I agree, food production is vital.

When a farm has been in the same family for generations the knowledge is invaluable.

SIL's family have been farmers for several generations.
DGS said he does not want to farm.

Allira Tue 19-Nov-24 19:18:42

Ps I don't blame him, in fact it's a relief.

madalene Tue 19-Nov-24 19:28:28

public services, public housing, public parks, public everything

Good grief! That’s Communism!

No thanks.

(Why do you think the Berlin Wall and Communism in Eastern Europe fell?)