The Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party joined the Brecon and Radnorshire MS on a farm in Rhayader last weekend to discuss the impact of the UK Government’s budget announcement.

Nigel Huddleston MP and James Evans MS met with Rob Lewis on Glan Elan Farm.

Discussions revolved around inheritance tax relief on agricultural land.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in her October 30 budget that farms would no longer get 100 per cent relief on inheritance tax, and from April 2026, will have to pay 20 per cent tax on farms worth more than £1 million.

Mr Lewis, who farms with his three sons, says he is deeply worried about the future of farming for his boys.

Mr Evans told the B&R: “I am deeply concerned about the impact the Chancellor’s changes to inheritance tax will have on farms, This is yet another broken promise from Labour and threatens our food security, risking jobs and livelihoods in the process.

“It is important to hear directly from farmers on just how damaging this Labour policy will be for them. For many, the land has been in their family for generations, they are the custodians of our land, and all they want is to be able to pass it on to the next generation. They have diversified, as most farmers have had to do to make a living, and it is not only IHT tax changes that will hurt them but also the changes to Business Rate Relief.

“We need to fight these damaging decisions being taken in Westminster and in Cardiff Bay.”

The reforms will apply from April 6 next year.

The UK Government maintains that most estates will not be affected by the changes. 

“Reforms to agricultural property relief are expected to affect the wealthiest 500 estates each year with smaller farms not affected by the changes,” according the the GOV.UK website.

But this stance has been widely opposed by farmers and farming unions.

Aled Jones, NFU Cymru President, said: "The changes announced are not only a threat to our family farm structure and our tenanted sector but also to our nation’s food security."