Labour's Red Hand Slaps Farmers in The Face, says Butler

Ulster Unionist Party Agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA has voiced his disappointment following confirmation from UK Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle on ‘Farming Today’ that the planned changes on inheritance tax for farmers will proceed in next month’s Budget, despite rumours suggesting they might be reconsidered.

Mr Butler said, “There will be deep disappointment across the farming community following the false hope created by rumours of changes to the Family Farm Tax.

“It’s clear that Labour’s farming minister has shut the door firmly in the faces of our farmers at the very moment when meaningful change was possible, ahead of the budget.

“The rumoured proposals had given hope that the Government had finally recognised the strength of feeling across rural communities on this issue. But once again, Labour's red hand slaps farmers in the face.

“This is a bitter blow to hardworking family farmers who simply want fairness and a future for the next generation. The Ulster Unionist Party will not give up; we will continue to lobby all Parties at Westminster to affect change. We will continue to fight this every step of the way, with myself on blue benches in Stormont and Robin Swann MP on green benches and Lord Elliott on the red benches in Westminster to ensure our farmers are heard and respected.”