East Herts Council’s Green leader Ben Crystall backs Tory plea for Labour rethink on farming inheritance tax

The Green Party leader of East Herts Council is urging the Government to ditch inheritance tax changes for farmers.

Cllr Ben Crystall agreed to write to ministers at the urging of Much Hadham Conservative Cllr Ian Devonshire.

In her Autumn Statement, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that from April 2026, inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m will be liable to inheritance tax (IHT) at 20% – half the normal rate. Previously the estates were exempt.

Labour argues that the majority of families will be unaffected and, combined with other allowances, a couple will still be able to pass on a farm worth up to £3m.

However, organisations like the NFU (National Farmers’ Union) fear the changes will force many to sell their land to pay the bill.

Cllr Devonshire said: “I am very concerned by these tax changes and how it will impact our local farming community. Farming is very important to East Herts, which has a number of substantially rural wards, including my own.”

He asked what plans the district council had to support agriculture.

Cllr Crystall responded: “We are a rural district and the farming community in East Herts is integral to the region’s economy, environment and way of life. Clearly, though, many farmers here are feeling the pressure. Tax breaks for agricultural land have inflated land values in our area, making it harder for new entrants and for existing farmers.

“The Government is right to try to clamp down on those who buy farmland just to avoid tax, but we also need it to take action to ensure that our hard-working farmers can earn a decent income.”

He said farmers had suffered badly from Brexit, with exports of British food to the European Union down by nearly £2.8 billion a year. He said a new trade agreement between the UK and the EU was essential.

Meanwhile, said Cllr Crystall, the council’s Green and Liberal Democrat administration has been promoting farmers markets across the district and was offering £40,000 in grants which could benefit rural communities.

He said: “Right now, East Herts Council is running a scheme giving homeowners across the district the chance to apply for a free home decarbonisation survey, as well as access to up to £4,500 of match funding to help residents improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

“Since they are disproportionately impacted, we need to make sure our farming communities know about these grant opportunities, and all of us here can help spread the word.”

Cllr Crystall said the council was also committed to clamping down on fly-tipping on farmland and members were playing a key role in creating a Local Nature Recovery Strategy for the county.

“This should be a win win, with both nature and our farming communities reaping direct benefits,” he said.

“We are doing a lot with our limited resources, but we would always love to do more.”

Cllr Crystall accepted Cllr Devonshire’s request to write to the Government, urging Labour to reverse the inheritance tax rise.