²ÝÁñÉçÇø

'Treasury has finally started to back down' - Farming champion Alistair Carmichael praises farmers' vital role in IHT policy shift

Efra Committee Chair Alistair Carmichael has praised the spirit, endurance, and resilience of farmers in securing IHT changes, but he has berated the Government for not acting on the industry’s concerns sooner

Chris Brayford
clock • 3 min read
Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael said: "But be in no doubt, this is a major concession and it is something that has only happened because everybody in the countryside, all the farming unions, all the countryside groups, all got together, campaigned hard and spoke with a single voice. If you were one of these people, if you had a banner tied to your gate, if you drove a tractor or signed a petition, you have played a part in this quite remarkable victory today."
Image:

Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael said: "But be in no doubt, this is a major concession and it is something that has only happened because everybody in the countryside, all the farming unions, all the countryside groups, all got together, campaigned hard and spoke with a single voice. If you were one of these people, if you had a banner tied to your gate, if you drove a tractor or signed a petition, you have played a part in this quite remarkable victory today."

One of farming's most passionate and dedicated champions has praised the efforts of rural communities and organisations in securing a change of heart in Government on the family farm tax. Orkney and...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

Ìý

More on Politics

Countryside in uproar as Gov accelerates plan to ban trail hunting

Countryside in uproar as Gov accelerates plan to ban trail hunting

Labour has opened a long-awaited public consultation to speed up its key manifesto pledge to ban trail hunting

Chris Brayford
clock 26 March 2026 • 2 min read
From the editor: Recognising the role of farming as part of our national security

From the editor: Recognising the role of farming as part of our national security

This week from ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian editor Katie Jones

Katie Jones
clock 26 March 2026 • 2 min read
Calls for a level playing field on imports

Calls for a level playing field on imports

The NFU, RSPCA and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have joined forces to urge Government to safeguard Britain’s food production standards by introducing core standards for agri-food imports entering the UK

Katie Jones
clock 25 March 2026 • 2 min read