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Farmers set for rally at John O’Groats over ‘deeply flawed’ inheritance tax plans





Caithness NFU chairman Stephen Sutherland (left) with his brother, Kenneth Sutherland Jnr.
Caithness NFU chairman Stephen Sutherland (left) with his brother, Kenneth Sutherland Jnr.

Caithness farmers will send a message to the UK government to “think again” on taxation plans amid widespread concern over the potential impact on rural communities.

Up to 50 tractors will assemble for a rally at John O’Groats today, Saturday, January 25, as part of a nationwide day of action against proposed inheritance tax changes.

The show of strength is being organised by NFU Scotland and other farming unions to highlight what they see as a threat to the viability of family farms.

It has been prompted by Labour’s 20 per cent inheritance tax raid on farmland and property worth more than £1 million.

The gathering is being planned at noon in the John O’Groats car park.

Stephen Sutherland, chairman of the Caithness branch of NFU Scotland, said: “We think there will be 40 to 50 tractors, minimum, and there could be 100-plus folk.

“Families are worried about the future of their children and the next generation and how they’re going to manage to pay this.

“It’s a 20 per tax which, okay, is less than everyone else, but in an industry that returns between one and two per cent profit on your investment, how can you tax at 20 per cent? You’re speaking about 15 to 20 years’ profit on that figure.”

Mr Sutherland said the message to the UK government is to “think again”, adding: “The issue is not going to go away.”

He expects the gathering to last for about an hour and says farmers will be happy to speak to any members of the public who go along.

Mr Sutherland runs a 2000-acre farming operation, Sibmister and Stainland farms, with his brother Kenneth Jnr and their father Kenneth Snr.

A spokesperson for NFU Scotland said: “This rally has been planned to highlight the damage that the UK government’s proposed changes to inheritance tax will do and the threat to the viability of family farms across the UK. It will also thank the public for its growing support in this matter.”

Similar rallies and events will be held around the UK at the same time to demonstrate support for the Stop the Family Farm Tax campaign. These are being led and supported by all four farming unions.

The spokesperson added: “It will show MPs and ministers clearly that agriculture across the whole of the UK is united in rejecting this awful policy – a policy we were never consulted on and promised would never happen.”

Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone plans to attend the event at John O’Groats.

He said: “Having been brought up on a farm myself, in Easter Ross, I completely understand that every farming family will have a deep wish to be able to pass their land on to the next generation. It can be about the legacy of one’s working life and family history.

“I shall attend the John O’Groats rally to demonstrate that this issue affects farmers the length and breadth of the UK. They are the backbone of our country and cannot be forgotten.”

UK environment secretary Steve Reed has insisted the “vast majority of farmers will pay no more” and blamed the changes on the “£22 billion black hole” left by the previous Conservative government.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the measures would not affect three-quarters of farms and would only impact large landowners – but farming unions have disputed this, with NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy describing the plans as “deeply flawed”.

Speaking last month, he said: “Not only are the taxation proposals imposing untold pressure on family farm businesses, but they completely miss the intended target of large-scale investors using land as a tax haven.

“The volume of evidence disputing the information that the Treasury is using to justify its proposals is increasingly compelling and we will continue to build the case.

“With public and political pressure, we must see this changed or our ability to continue to produce food to the standard we are proud of and continue to be the custodians of our landscape will be significantly compromised.”


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