Rural Campaigners Urge Policy Reset Over Farm Inheritance Tax Reforms

Andy Burnham addressed rural policy issues while in Westminster. Rural campaigners, including the Countryside Alliance, have urged a 'rural reset' concerning farm inheritance tax and wider rural policy. The dispute centers on changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) that took effect on April 6, 2026.

The reforms changed the relief structure for combined qualifying agricultural and business property, applying 100% relief to the first £2.5 million and 50% relief above that level. The Countryside Alliance demands the reversal of these changes, which they refer to as the 'family farm tax,' while the government states the reforms aim to raise revenue and support farms.