The industry is nervously awaiting the chancellor's statement on November 26, following last year's "seismic" decision to scrap inheritance tax relief for farms valued over £1m - leaving countless farming families facing crippling tax bills when handing land to the next generation.

Farming leaders still fighting for changes to this "family farm tax" said the Budget is an opportunity for the government to "re-set its relationship" with the nation's food growers.

Nick Deane, who farms at Hoveton, and is Norfolk council representative for the National Farmers' Union (NFU), said: “The government's plans to reform inheritance tax sent seismic shockwaves throughout the industry when they were first announced in last year's autumn budget.

“They have managed to instantly curtail new investment and pose a real threat to the future of small and medium-sized family farms, including many here in Norfolk who have fed the nation for generations.

“The government's proposals do nothing to tackle the issue of people buying land just to avoid tax which was their stated objective, and they mercilessly punish elderly farmers who through no fault of their own, have been given no time to make changes to their businesses to mitigate against the impact of this cruel family farm tax and are now facing heart-breaking situations.

“I urge the government to engage with us and make changes to this poorly thought out and seriously miscalculated policy. It is not too late to avoid the devastation the family farm tax could create."

© Eastern Daily Press