Delay farmer inheritance tax changes ‘to allow for better formulation’, say MPs

The government’s plans will bring farms and other agricultural property into inheritance tax rules, in order to raise money for public services. Photograph: Maureen McLean/Rex/Shutterstock

A group of influential MPs has urged the government to delay controversial planned changes to inheritance tax for farmers to “allow for better formulation of tax policy” and to protect vulnerable farmers by giving them more time to seek advice.

The environment, food and rural affairs (Efra) committee has called on the government to hold off announcing its overhaul of agricultural property relief and business property relief until October 2026, before bringing them into effect from April 2027.