A farmer from Colnbrook has warned Labour's inheritance tax reforms will have detrimental effects to family farms in the UK.
The warning comes in response to last week's Autumn Budget, outlining changes for agricultural and business property relief.
Under these new rules, from April 2026, agricultural and business assets worth over £1 million will face a 20 per cent inheritance tax.
Farmers across the Royal Borough and Slough area have expressed concerns, particularly about the implications for younger generations.
Colin Rayner, director at J Rayner & Sons Ltd, emphasised his family has been farming in Colnbrook since 1551, with each generation inheriting the farm.
The former Conservative councillor for Horton and Wraysbury told the Slough and South Bucks Express: "We are still in shock from the announcement at the Budget last week.
"These new tax rules will destroy the family farms in the UK. Plus, we have had many other tax increases on running our farm. This will make the farm unprofitable for the next few years.
"I feel sorry for the new generation of our family that may not have the privilege that we had inheriting the farm when it came to our turn.
"I have concerns that the production will drop dramatically in the UK as the younger generation have to leave the farms to seek work elsewhere."
Similarly, Cookham farmer Geoffrey Copas voiced concerns about the potential decline in growth due to the increasing number of taxes.
Speaking to the Slough and South Bucks Express, he said how it felt wrong to tax those who have created businesses again, espeically if they wanted to pass the business to their children.
Mr Copas expressed that 'inheritance tax should never be imposed' and that 'small businesses that can grow into big businesses should always be encouraged.
Mr Copas suggested the inheritance tax threshold be raised to £5 million to support small businesses and proposed extending the interest-free payment period for the 20 per cent tax to 20 years for farmers.
During a visit to Berkshire College of Agriculture on Friday, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey shared his concerns, criticising Labour's inheritance tax rise for farms.
Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds also voiced his concerns, highlighting the impact on young farmers who may miss out on inheriting their family farms.
In response, a government spokesperson reaffirmed the government's commitment to farmers, noting that the majority of those claiming relief would not be affected by the changes.
They emphasised that family farms could still be passed down to future generations, asserting the new approach is 'fair and balanced.'
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