Carmichael leads Urgent Question on Budget implications for farming communities

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today led an Urgent Question in the House of Commons on the implications of last week’s Budget for farming communities. During the Urgent Question Mr Carmichael highlighted past undertakings by the DEFRA Secretary of State that he would not raise inheritance tax on farmers, and called for the government to publish data behind several claims made by ministers in support of the tax changes.

Mr Carmichael, who is also chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, also noted concerns about the removal of the ringfence for devolved farm funding, and questioned the compatibility of the Budget with the government’s stated aim of increasing food security.

Reacting after the Urgent Question, Mr Carmichael said:

“Building up strong and resilient farming communities should be a goal for anyone who cares about our environment, our food security and our economy. At that heart of that goal surely has to be a full-throated defence of family farming up and down the country.

“I was disappointed by the minister’s responses today. They reinforce the impression many in our communities have that the government still does not understand why this Budget has provoked so much concern. The failures of the previous Conservative government cannot justify further harm to farming communities.

“There is still time for the government to take stock, listen to farming voices and build consensus around future tax rules. They should start by pressing pause – and giving us some transparency about how these plans came about in the first place.”