'Disappointment runs much deeper than tax'

FARMERS who say an unaffordable inheritance tax bill will mean they have to sell up have called on the Environment Secretary to "come out and talk to us” after she said she had “no idea” what they want.

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Tractors lined the streets outside a farming conference in Oxford yesterday as Emma Reynolds insisted “that's it” for changes to the Government's inheritance tax for farming businesses.

Clare and Luke Hawes, from Thame in Oxfordshire, are due to inherit their farm from Mr Hawes's father, but say the inheritance tax they would have to pay is “unreachable”.

Mr Hawes said that, despite the recent climbdown, the tax will still unfairly impact some, particularly elderly and single farmers.

Unlike single farmers such as Mr Hawes's father, couples with an estate worth up to £5 million can pass it down to their family tax-free.

Mr Hawes said meetings with solicitors to discuss the farm's future have cost his family thousands and is concerned they will have to sell the farm if they cannot pay the tax.