Marks & Spencer has called on the government to reconsider proposed reforms to inheritance tax relief for farms, warning of damaging consequences for rural communities and Britain’s food security.
Alex Freudmann, managing director of M&S Food, urged new environment secretary Emma Reynolds to back Britain’s farmers following growing anger in the countryside. “We support our farmers’ calls on the government to do more to support farming, and that includes supporting their call for a rethink on inheritance tax,” Freudmann said.
The FTSE 100 retailer has previously joined the National Farmers’ Union in pressing ministers to extend consultation on proposed changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief, which currently shield many family farms from punitive tax bills.
The sharper language signals M&S is prepared to take a firmer stance against Sir Keir Starmer’s administration, following weeks of rural unease over Labour’s approach.
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