More supermarkets stand on farmers’ side in IHT fight

The news comes after Tesco, Lidl and the Co-op have recently announced their support for farmers in their fight against changes to the inheritance tax announced at Autumn Budget.  

A spokesperson for Waitrose said: “Agriculture is the backbone of our food system and of rural Britain, and we are hearing from our farmers that inheritance tax is limiting their ability to plan ahead.  

“It is important that the government considers the impact of these changes and listens to farmers’ concerns”. They added they support a pause in the implementation of the inheritance tax changes.” 

A spokesperson for Ocado added: “ We join the NFU’s call for a consultation on inheritance tax- the proposed increase will impact farmers’ ability to continue developing a resilient British food system.” 

READ MORE: ‘Highly uncertain’ that IHT changes will raise £500m – OBR report

READ MORE: ‘This is our last push’ – East Anglia farmers will again hit the streets

‘More and more isolated’ government 

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs at the Countryside Alliance, said that Rachel Reeves and the Treasury appear “more and more isolated” in their defence of the family farm tax, as the backlash to the policy intensifies.  

“We warned the Treasury that the total lack of consultation with the rural sector has created serious ill will in the countryside and would only lead to a long-running battle. It is imperative the government consults with the relevant stakeholders and urgently rethinks this policy,” he added. 

Shortly after October’s Budget, Sainsbury’s urged ministers to ‘listen to the concerns’ of farmers about the tax changes. 

Earlier this month, Morrisons told farmers “we’re with you” in their fight against Labour’s action. 

And, last week, Asda also offered their public backing for farmers by supporting a demand for a pause in Labour’s implementation of the Budget measures. 

Next month, MPs are set for another debate over the impact of the family farm tax, after a petition – ‘Don’t change inheritance tax relief for working farms’ – reached over 100,000 signatures. The House of Commons petitions committee has agreed that a debate on the subject will take place on 10th February at 4:30pm. 

30 local councils, including Cornwall, Suffolk and Northumberland have also voted through motions condemning the policy. 

READ MORE: Morrisons takes out injunction to stop farmers’ protests

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