Chancellor Rachel Reeves' controversial decision to scrap inheritance tax relief for farms valued over £1m has left countless farming families suddenly facing a 20pc tax bill when handing land and assets down to the next generation.

This week, the proposed reforms to agricultural and business property relief (APR and BPR) were published in draft legislation for the government's Finance Bill 2025-26.

The Treasury papers claim that almost three-quarters of all estates claiming APR will not pay any more inheritance tax as a result of the changes, and adds: "Overall, this measure is not expected to have a material impact on food security."

But rural leaders in East Anglia say the so-called “family farm tax” threatens multi-generational farm businesses and could damage the country’s ability to produce food.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) says ministers must explore the

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