MP welcomes government changes to farm inheritance tax

The government’s decision to change the planned threshold for inheritance tax relief on farms has been welcomed by local MP Brian Mathew.

The government had initially proposed a £1 million limit for full relief. After months of campaigning by farmers across Wiltshire and the country, the threshold will now rise to £2.5 million from April 2026 for inheritance tax bills when farms are passed to the next generation.

Brian Mathew MP said, “I want to pay tribute to the thousands of farmers, many in my constituency who I have been working with, for their tireless campaigning over the last year.

“It is utterly inexcusable that family farmers have been put through over a year of uncertainty and anguish since the government first announced these changes.

“This is undoubtedly a win for farmers and therefore a win for all of us here in Wiltshire who value family farms’ role in food security, protecting our rural environment and providing good local jobs.”

The government said the change will protect more family farms and rural businesses while ensuring only the largest estates pay tax above the relief limit.

The MP continued to raise concerns in Parliament last week, calling for a further increase to give farmers greater certainty about the future.

Pictured: MP Brian Mathew in the House of Commons