Suffolk leading clergyman is backing a campaign by the National Farmers' Union (NFU) opposing plans to impose inheritance tax on farms.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves caused uproar when she announced in her first Budget on October 30 that she would be cutting Agricultural Property Relief for farmers after many decades. 

Rt Rev Martin Seeley, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich - who sits in the House of Lords - has been outspoken in his criticism of the move.

Suffolk and north Essex farmers were among many to take part in a mass rally on November 19 to protest the change. So far the government has taken a hard-line stance - but farmers' leaders are hoping they will be able to wring some concessions.

Farmers are pinning their hopes on a private meeting which took place between NFU president Tom Bradshaw - who farms at Colchester - and prime minister Keir Starmer on Monday (November 25) to air farmers' concerns.

Although details remain confidential, they discussed the impact of changes to inheritance taxes on farms - and other topics including food security, trade and farming and growing in the UK more widely.

Mr Bradshaw said the PM was "very much in listening mode".  

“I welcome the prime minister asking to hear directly about farmers’ concerns, and I am grateful to him for taking the time to do so. I hope we can work together towards a resolution on this issue,” he said.

Bishop Martin - writing for this publication - said farmers already received too little for the food they produce - leading to thin profit margins and even losses.

"The government’s Budget a few weeks ago has been a devastating blow, financially and for morale, and for the mental health of farmers," he warned.

Some farmers were "worried sick" about the financial pressures they will now face, he added.

His own farm chaplain, Graham Miles, and farm charities such as YANA (You Are Not Alone), the Farming Community Network, and RABI (the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Association) were facing an increasing number of requests for help from farmers.

As well as a rise in employers' National Insurance contributions and the minimum wage which all businesses face, farmers have been hit with big cuts in Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief and in post-Brexit farm subsidies, he said.

With the average family farm in Suffolk of about 400 acres worth about £6m, a £1m exemption from both parents will mean the next generation will be lumbered with a half million pound inheritance tax bill..

"The situation is not helped by many media sources just getting their facts wrong and, frankly, having a go at farmers, as we sadly saw in the reporting of the recent mass lobbying organised by the NFU, and the rally held on the same day," he said.

"I can only imagine the government’s decisions were based on a grave miscalculation by the Treasury using erroneous or misleading information on farms and farm sizes.  I cannot see how they can otherwise impose measures so destructive to our food supply."

He added: "I support the NFU campaign on this, and will do everything I can to help to change these measures that imperil our farming industry, our farmers and our food."