M&S calls on ministers to rethink farm inheritance tax reforms amid rural backlash

""We support our farmers' calls on the government to do more to support farming, and that includes supporting their call for a rethink on inheritance tax," Freudmann said."

""A clear and concrete target to increase the proportion of indigenous foods eaten in the UK that are grown in the UK would galvanise cross-government action," Freudmann argued. "If it was set down in law, like targets around net zero or nature protection, it could also tilt the balance towards farmers and growers in decisions around planning or access to water.""

""doubt ... that there was a genuine national commitment to increasing the domestic supply of food""

Marks & Spencer called on the government to reconsider proposed reforms to inheritance tax relief for farms, warning of damaging consequences for rural communities and Britain's food security. Alex Freudmann, managing director of M&S Food, urged environment secretary Emma Reynolds to back farmers and growers. M&S joined the National Farmers' Union in pressing ministers to extend consultation on proposed changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief, which currently protect many family farms from punitive tax bills. M&S wrote to Steve Reed expressing doubt about the government's commitment to increasing domestic food supply and urged a clear legal target for domestic food production. Reed did not respond and a government spokesman defended the changes as vital to repair public finances.

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