Chamberlain meets with local farmers as Lib Dems demand ‘axe the family farm tax’

Wendy Chamberlain, MP for North East Fife, today (19th November) met with North East Fife farmers to discuss issues impacting rural communities.

Thousands of farmers came to Westminster to raise their concerns over the blow the Budget has dealt to family farms. Among them were farmers from North East Fife who raised their concerns about the impact of the family farm tax with Chamberlain.

Chamberlain discussed the impact that tax increases will have on farming communities in North East Fife, and is urging the government to axe the family farm tax.

John and Claire are farmers from St Andrews who contacted Chamberlain on Budget Day last month expressing their concerns over the future of their farm. Chamberlain also met with Ally Brunton, Chair of the Scottish Association Young Farmers Club.

The Liberal Democrats are also calling for an additional £1 billion a year in support for farmers.

Commenting after the meeting, Chamberlain said:

“I’m really grateful to my constituents for coming all the way down for the lobby and I’m glad I was able to speak with them about their concerns.

“Farming families across North East Fife have already been failed by a Conservative party that didn’t care about them - they can’t now be let down by a Labour government that doesn’t understand them.

“The UK Government’s decision to un-ringfence Scotland’s agriculture funding means that the Scottish Budget announcement in December will be critical for Scottish farmers.

“I’ll be working closely with my Lib Dem MSP colleagues to ensure farmers in North East Fife are supported.

“Liberal Democrats are standing up for rural communities, and calling for an axe to the family farm tax that would be disastrous for farmers.

“British farmers are already battling with sky-high energy bills and botched overseas trade deals; and this hike will only make things much worse. I am urging the Government to change course.”