Farmer Olly Harrison calls for family farm tax to be scrapped

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 13:03 · Archive

Farmer and YouTuber Olly Harrison has called for the inheritance tax on farms to be scrapped, criticising civil servants for imposing the levy.

Olly Harrison, a 45-year-old farmer from Merseyside and YouTuber, has called for the family farm inheritance tax to be scrapped. He criticised civil servants for imposing the levy, saying they lack understanding of agriculture. 'They've gone to university, they've studied Politics, and now they work in London, and they've never set foot on a farm or have an understanding of where the food comes from or what motivates an industry,' he said.

Previously, British farms were exempt from inheritance tax. A change by former chancellor Rachel Reeves made farms subject to a 20 per cent tax on land and assets worth more than £1 million. Following rural backlash, the threshold was raised to £2.5 million in December 2025, or £5 million for married couples.

Harrison argued that the main problem lay with civil servants rather than politicians. He said they did not understand that food production can take 12 to 24 months. Prime Minister Andy Burnham now faces increasing calls to scrap the tax entirely to restore relations with rural communities. David Blunkett, a close ally of Burnham, has also criticised the tax, calling it 'a mistake'.

How it is being reported

• Jeremy Clarkson's famous friend blasts Andy Burnham's family taxA well-known farmer and friend of Jeremy Clarkson has called for the family farms tax to be scrapped.Oxford Mail · 22 Oct, 12:30
• Jeremy Clarkson's famous friend blasts Andy Burnham's family taxA well-known farmer and friend of Jeremy Clarkson has called for the family farms tax to be scrapped.Oxfordshire Guardian · 22 Oct, 12:30

In this story: Olly Harrison · Andy Burnham · Rachel Reeves · David Blunkett · Jeremy Clarkson · Merseyside

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