Swann presses Starmer on Family Farm Tax and highlights importance of Young Farmers' Clubs

SOUTH Antrim MP Robin Swann has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to change course on the Family Farm Inheritance Tax.

During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Mr Swann asked the PM:

“I’m joined today in the Gallery by the leadership of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster, an organisation of young people who are passionate about youth work, passionate about the rural countryside and passionate about the future of farming and agriculture.

“Agriculture policy is devolved, but the Prime Minister’s agricultural inheritance tax is the thing that has them and young farmers across all the country despairing not just for their future, but the future of food security.

“When will the Prime Minister change course on the farm family inheritance tax now that he’s taking control of tax policy?”

In his response, the Prime Minister welcomed the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster to Parliament. Mr Swann has hosted the leadership of the YFCU in Westminster for two days of engagements this week with senior Ministers, Shadow Ministers, MPs and Lords.

Mr Starmer went on to say:

“Can I take this opportunity to say to him and to the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster that we’ve invested more than £2.7billion in farming and nature recovery. That’s been welcomed and of course we’re developing a 25-year farming roadmap to make the sector more profitable again.

“That has been warmly welcomed, and their future will depend on that roadmap, and we’ll work with them.”

Following this response, Mr Swann commented:

“I am disappointed that the government continues to pursue this incredibly harmful policy which has the potential to devastate far too many farms across Northern Ireland and put our agri-food sector in jeopardy.

“I’ll continue to push for this tax to be scrapped ahead of the new budget in November, and I hope the government act before this tax comes into effect next year.”

After his question to the Prime Minister on the Family Farm Tax, South Antrim MP Robin Swann said:

“In the House of Commons at Prime Ministers question time on Wednesday, I took the opportunity to highlight the invaluable work of the Young Farmers Clubs’ of Ulster, but the same can be said of their sister organisations and their members be they from England, Scotland or Wales.

“I told the Prime Minister how they are, “an organisation and young people who are passionate about youth work, our rural countryside and the future of farming and agriculture,”

“I put to him, “agriculture policy is devolved, but the Prime Minister’s agricultural inheritance tax is the thing that has them and young farmers across all the country despairing not just for their future, but the future of food security” and asked “when will the Prime Minister change course on the farm family inheritance tax, now that he is taking control of tax policy?”

“I asked this from a place of appreciation and understanding - as a past Young Farmers’ Club Leader, County Chair, National President and former Chair of Rural Youth Europe – and from knowing what I have gained from the organisation, but also what I have seen others gain, developing in both personal confidence and skills.

“The question was inspired by what I had observed as the Leadership team of the YFCU engaged with politicians in Westminster, across the political spectrum, from Daniel Zeichner DEFRA Minister, Victoria Atkins Shadow DEFRA Secretary, and Alistair Carmichael the EFRA Committee Chair, during two days of engagements organised through my offices, as it is important that those in decision making positions hear directly from our rural young people, and hear about the real threats and fears that they are seeing and experiencing.

“The Farm Family Inheritance Tax, remains the main issue as its impact will have a devastating impact on the current generation of young farmers. While the current farming generation are worrying about how they will manage their affairs, it’s the next generation who are now wondering if they have a future.

“ I have no doubt that if the Prime Minister and Chancellor had a mind and a willingness to change direction, it is within their gift and ability to do so, and with the recent reshuffle, they should take a look at it with fresh eyes.

“There have been alternatives offered by the Farming Unions, and now with CenTax’s new findings saying the policy “will adversely affect, medium and small farms, which make up many of our family farms” - why not pause and reflect?

"In fact, this has been supported by the cross-party EFRA Committee report on the Government’s vision for Farming, where they state in the recommendations – “the Government should delay announcing its final APR and BPR reforms until October 2026, to come into effect in April 2027, to provide more time for farming businesses to conduct succession planning and seek appropriate professional advice.

“The Government should use this time to consult on its proposed changes, conduct an impact and affordability assessment, and consider policy measures and mitigations to reduce any unintended negative consequences.”

Mr Swann has also submitted an Early Day Motion to Parliament which declares:

“That this House commends the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster, National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs, and Wales Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs for supporting rural young people, recognises their vital work in tackling rural isolation, promoting positive mental health, and strengthening rural communities; congratulates and acknowledges their efforts to equip the next generation with skills for life outside a formal educational setting; and urges the Government to support their vital work in strengthening rural communities and equipping rural young people with skills for their future.”