Farmers in Despair: Inheritance Tax Proposal Sparks Outrage and Mental Health Concerns

A Welsh Labour MP, Steve Witherden, has voiced strong opposition to the government’s plan to enforce a new 20% inheritance tax on farms passed down through wills, labeling it as “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” This tax, set to be implemented in April 2026, has raised significant concerns among farmers, including an elderly couple who expressed a wish to die rather than burden their children with the tax.

First Minister Eluned Morgan also highlighted the potential negative impact on farmers’ mental health, noting that there needs to be an open dialogue regarding these proposed changes. The tax is aimed at farms valued over £1 million and will provide a ten-year period for payment, but Witherden called for a raised threshold and exemptions for older farmers who cannot plan ahead.

He criticized the current system, which he claims favors large estates and wealthy corporations, making it harder for younger farmers to enter the market. Morgan has acknowledged the disconnected perspectives between farmers and the UK Treasury and has called for greater consultation on the matter. The UK government’s spokesperson defended the reforms as necessary for funding public services, stating that only a small fraction of the claims would be affected. There remains a profound sense of concern across rural Wales regarding the long-term effects of these tax changes on family farms.