As a result of “Labour’s disastrous tax policies” more than 6,000 farms have closed within 6 months and the Chancellor has been accused of betraying the farming industry which “helped build this country.”
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that 6,365 fishing, forestry and agriculture businesses have closed since Rachel Reeve’s 2024 Autumn Budget.
The Telegraph reported that the numbers of farms is rapidly shrinking at the fastest rate on record.
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson said Labour’s taxes and red tape is “pushing British farming to the brink.”
“No government in modern history has done more damage to rural Britain than Labour is right now,” Anderson said.
“Farms are closing at twice the rate new ones are opening.”
Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins said this is a result of “Labour’s disastrous tax policies.”
“The crippling NICs [National Insurance contributions] increases, alongside the family farm and family firm taxes, are destroying generational businesses, creating job instability and even leading to devastating suicides,” she said.
“These statistics prove that Labour do not understand our rural communities and our rural communities cannot afford Labour.”
