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<\/p>\nKeir Starmer has acknowledged reports that some terminally ill farmers are considering hastening their deaths before new inheritance tax rules take effect in April.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister was questioned on the issue during a Commons liaison committee session on Monday, where MPs raised concerns about the impact of changes to agricultural property relief.<\/p>\n
Labour MP Cat Smith asked whether Sir Keir was aware that farmers with terminal diagnoses were \u201cactively planning to expedite their own deaths\u201d ahead of the reforms.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister said he was aware of a range of concerns being raised by individuals affected by the policy.<\/p>\n
He said: “I’ve had discussions with a number of individuals who have drawn all manner of things to my attention”.<\/p>\n
When pressed on whether he agreed that no person should feel they would be \u201cbetter off dying\u201d before April, he rejected that suggestion while defending the principle of reform.<\/p>\n
Mr Starmer said: “No, of course. But governments have to bring about sensible reform”.<\/p>\n
He also referred to so-called anti-forestalling measures, which are designed to prevent people from rearranging their affairs to avoid new tax rules.<\/p>\n
He said such measures \u201care not unique to this situation\u201d.<\/p>\n
Despite acknowledging the distress caused by reports raised by MPs, the Prime Minister indicated the Government would proceed with the planned changes.<\/p>\n
Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged reports terminally ill farmers may hasten deaths before April inheritance tax changes<\/p>\n
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PA\/GETTY<\/p>\n
The reforms relate to agricultural property relief, which currently allows qualifying farms to be passed on without inheritance tax.<\/p>\n
The changes were announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in last year\u2019s Budget.<\/p>\n
Under the new system, farming estates valued above \u00a31 million will be subject to a 20 per cent inheritance tax charge.<\/p>\n
Previously, agricultural property relief meant most family farms were fully exempt from inheritance tax, regardless of value.<\/p>\n
The revised rules are due to come into force from April.<\/p>\n
Farming families therefore have a limited period to assess how the changes may affect their estates.<\/p>\n
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Nigel Farage has pledged to abolish inheritance tax<\/p>\n
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The policy has prompted concern across the agricultural sector, with industry representatives warning of potential consequences for family-run farms.<\/p>\n
Critics argue that rising land values mean even relatively small working farms can exceed the \u00a31 million threshold.<\/p>\n
They have warned this could result in more families facing inheritance tax bills when land and buildings are transferred between generations.<\/p>\n
The Treasury has said the reforms are intended to improve fairness in the tax system.<\/p>\n
Ministers have argued the existing relief has been used by some wealthy landowners to avoid inheritance tax on large estates.<\/p>\n
The Government has insisted most smaller farms will continue to be protected.<\/p>\n
Sir Keir defended the reforms as proportionate and necessary.<\/p>\n
He told the committee: “I do think on agricultural property relief, there had to be sensible reform and I think this is sensible reform”.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister acknowledged the level of concern within the farming community.<\/p>\n
He confirmed he met the president of the National Farmers\u2019 Union during the previous week to discuss the issue.<\/p>\n
Sir Keir said the Government had introduced measures aimed at reducing the impact of the changes on families.<\/p>\n
He pointed to provisions allowing tax-free transfers of assets between spouses and civil partners.<\/p>\n
Under those rules, allowances can be combined, potentially protecting estates valued up to \u00a32 million from inheritance tax.<\/p>\n
The Government has said this will provide greater security for surviving partners following a death.<\/p>\n
Farming organisations have continued to question whether those safeguards go far enough.<\/p>\n
They argue that inheritance tax liabilities could still force some families to sell land or assets to meet tax bills.<\/p>\n
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Opposition MPs and some Labour backbenchers have urged ministers to review the policy\u2019s impact before April.<\/p>\n
The Government has not indicated any plans to delay or reverse the changes.<\/p>\n
Sir Keir\u2019s comments underline the Government\u2019s intention to proceed while continuing engagement with farming representatives.<\/p>\n
The inheritance tax reforms remain one of the most contested elements of last year\u2019s Budget among rural communities.<\/p>\n