FARMERS WILL TAKE OWN LIVES TO AVOID 'CRUEL' TAX

PM warned farm owners are considering suicide before April's inheritance raid

- BY KATIE HARRIS Senior Political Correspondent

KEIR Starmer was attacked yesterday for refusing to drop his "cruel" tax raid on farmers despite warnings that some may kill themselves.

Reports claim some elderly and terminally ill farm owners are considering taking their own lives before the inheritance levy begins in April.

Amid a grilling by cross-party MPs yesterday, Sir Keir suggested he was aware of the claim but insisted the changes were a "sensible reform". His comments reignited calls from opposition parties for ministers to ditch the move.

Tory MP and Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins said: “I have repeatedly raised...the tragic stories shared with me about the human cost of this cruel tax.

“Keir Starmer cannot pretend he doesn’t know the damage this will do to the lives and livelihoods of farmers. He must now keep his pre-election promise to farmers and axe this vindictive tax.”