Farmers warn of crisis as poll shows 80% fear for survival and none back Labour

"According to research by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents 28,000 farmers and rural businesses across England and Wales, almost 80 per cent of farmers are worried their business will not survive the next ten years. None of those surveyed said they would vote for Labour in a general election. The poll, conducted among 490 CLA members, found that 40 per cent "strongly agree" and 38 per cent "agree" with the statement: "I am worried that my business will not survive the next ten years." More than 30 per cent have "seriously" considered selling their farm and leaving the industry in the next five years."

"Victoria Vyvyan, president of the CLA, said: "The Treasury says these reforms will barely touch rural Britain. Our polling shows they will force hard choices on farms that have sustained communities for generations - selling land, laying off staff and shelving plans for the future. Already families are weighing up which parts of their business they can afford to keep. Some are holding back investment, others are wondering if they can hand the farm on at all.""

A poll of 490 Country Land and Business Association members shows almost 80% of farmers worry their businesses will not survive the next ten years. Forty percent strongly agree and 38% agree with that survival concern. Over 30% have seriously considered selling their farm and leaving the industry within five years. Nearly 70% expect to sell land or take on debt to keep operating, and almost half expect to sell at least a quarter of their farm. Around 90% have delayed or paused investment since inheritance tax reforms were announced, with over a quarter holding back more than £150,000. The reforms will impose a 20% charge on inherited agricultural assets above £1m from April 2026.

Read at Business Matters