ADAM Dance MP of Yeovil and South Somerset met with his constituents yesterday (Tuesday, November 19) to discuss issues impacting rural communities, as thousands of farmers came to Westminster to voice their concerns over the "family farm tax".

Farmers from Yeovil and South Somerset raised their concerns about the impact of the so-called "family farm tax" with Adam Dance MP at the Westminster protest.

The tax has become a pressing issue for farms in Yeovil and South Somerset, many of which are family-run businesses that form the backbone of rural communities. 

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Adam Dance also met with NFU representatives, to discuss the immediate and long-term effects of these changes.

They highlighted that the government’s claim that only "1 in 4 farms" would be affected overlooks the reality on the ground.

“The government is lumping working farms together with hobby farms, small non-commercial holdings, and even land investors,” they explained. “In reality, this change will hit about 120 working family farms in the area—far more than the government wants to admit.”

Adam Dance reflected on this during their discussion:

"The NFU shared examples of families in the region who have worked the same land for generations. Under this new policy, many may be forced to sell off parts of their farms just to cover inheritance tax. This wouldn’t only harm these families but could also make their farms non-viable, threatening livelihoods and local food production," Adam Dance said.

The challenges farming communities face can be seen across the board, with the latest statistics revealing that in 2023/24, average Farm Business Income was lower for all farm types except specialist pig farms.

Farmers are also grappling with the accelerated phase-out of direct payments under the basic payment scheme, with cuts of 76% to these payments next year.

Adam Dance MP has called on the government to urgently review this.

He said: "By failing to act, the government is leaving farmers without a fighting chance to sustainably and profitably feed the nation while protecting our natural environment." 

The Liberal Democrats are also calling for an additional £1 billion a year in support for farmers, as well as scrapping the planned bus fare cap increase that will disproportionately affect rural areas. 

“This family farm tax would be disastrous for local farming families. Farmers are already battling sky-high energy bills and botched overseas trade deals, and this unfair hike will only make things worse," Liberal Democrat MP Adam Dance said.

The Liberal Democrats are standing up for rural communities, demanding the government "axe the family farm tax", and are calling for the support farmers need to keep producing food, protecting our countryside, and thriving in the years to come.