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Blunkett questioned the rural inheritance tax and urged Burnham to shift toward the countryside
The former Labour minister considered the levy on inherited agricultural assets a mistake and joined other criticisms of the official agenda for rural areas. The government defended its measures and said it seeks to rebuild ties with producers.
Lord Blunkett said the tax on the inheritance of farming operations was a mistake and called on Andy Burnham to listen more to the countryside in this new political stage, according to the BBC.
The former Labour minister questioned the “Treasury’s economic orthodoxy” over the 20% levy on inherited agricultural assets worth more than 2.5 million pounds, in force since April. The measure ended an exemption that had benefited farms since the 1980s.
According to the BBC, the change had been announced in last year’s budget under Sir Keir Starmer with a reduced rate compared with the 40% general inheritance tax. It had initially been set for assets inherited above 1 million pounds, but after the backlash it was amended in December and the threshold was raised to 2.5 million.
Some rural figures argue that the rule still affects working family farms and are calling for it to be scrapped. Blunkett said the decision “struck a nerve” and stressed that many Labour seats represent rural or semi-rural constituencies, so those voices should be heard more.
The politician spoke during the launch of a Countryside Alliance campaign calling for a “rural reset” to reverse policies that, according to the organization, treat countryside residents as the enemy. The group presented the initiative as a nonpartisan effort for Burnham to work with rural communities on issues such as agriculture, horse racing and greyhound racing.
The BBC also noted that Lord Blunkett criticized the official plan to ban trail hunting, arguing that the practice caused no harm. The government, by contrast, said there is strong support for the ban and that the activity poses risks to wildlife and pets.
At the same event in Westminster, Lord Cameron also attacked both policies: he described the rural inheritance tax as “stupid” and the trail hunting ban as “completely wrong.” He also warned that new restrictions on small-game hunting could affect other aspects of rural life, including pubs and local services, according to the BBC.
In response, the government said it is determined to rebuild trust with farmers, that most inheritances are not affected by the tax increase, and that this stage seeks to open a new conversation with producers and rural communities to strengthen the future of British agriculture and promote growth in those areas.
Sources
About this note. Written by El Notero with assistance from artificial intelligence, based on what was published by the cited outlet. El Notero did not do its own reporting on this event.
