Waveney Valley Green MP, Adrian Ramsay, lays out farm tax position amid criticism

A Green MP has laid out his position on Government farm tax plans amid criticism.

Waveney Valley MP, Adrian Ramsay, laid out his position on the Government's changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) in a letter addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP.

The Green MP has come under fire after not showing up to vote on proposals to axe the tax plans during the opposition day on Wednesday — the major Labour majority defeated the proposal by 339 votes to 181.

Under the new plans, inherited agricultural properties worth more than £1 million will no longer be exempt from inheritance tax and will be subject to a 20 per cent tax bill from April 2026.

In a social media post, Suffolk County Council leader, Cllr Mathew Hicks said: "Hugely disappointing [Mr Ramsay] failed to support our farmers and oppose Labour’s cruel family farm tax by doing a no show when he is meant to represent that very community."

Mr Ramsay was not at the vote due to having prior appointments but would've abstained from voting regardless as he disagreed with elements of the Conservatives’ amendment.

In his letter about the tax proposals, he said he was concerned about the unintended consequences it would have on farmers.

Mr Ramsay added: "While I strongly support the principle of tackling tax avoidance, I urge you to look again at the figures and reconsider the threshold to ensure that ordinary family farms are not penalised.

"These farms are not the intended targets of the policy but would bear the brunt of its consequences.

He stressed reform should focus on tax avoidance by speculative investors and corporations and called for the decision to be reconsidered.

Mr Ramsay added: "These farms remain in families for generations and are the bedrock of our rural communities, yet the proposed threshold would place them under further financial strain.

"Many are already grappling with soaring energy costs, climate risks to crop yields, uncertainty over subsidies, and relentless price pressures from supermarkets and retailers.

"These pressures are already having a huge toll on the mental health of many farmers who are working all hours to keep their farms going."