Following a packed discussion with Jeremy Clarkson at the Conservative Party Conference, local MP, and Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Victoria Atkins, has said his comments reflect the frustrations of farmers, entrepreneurs and rural communities across the country.
During the surprise appearance alongside Ms Atkins, the star of Amazon TV’s Clarkson’s Farm spoke candidly about the pressures facing British farming and business, warning that for farmers “the attacks come from everywhere – whether it’s Iran or Ukraine or taxes or energy costs – whatever it might be, it’s just relentless”.
He also challenged the Government’s approach to business, asking: “Why would anybody set up a business in this country right now?”
Following a packed discussion with Jeremy Clarkson at the Conservative Party Conference, local MP, and Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Victoria Atkins, has said his comments reflect the frustrations of farmers, entrepreneurs and rural communities across the country.
During the surprise appearance alongside Ms Atkins, the star of Amazon TV’s Clarkson’s Farm spoke candidly about the pressures facing British farming and business, warning that for farmers “the attacks come from everywhere – whether it’s Iran or Ukraine or taxes or energy costs – whatever it might be, it’s just relentless”.
He also challenged the Government’s approach to business, asking: “Why would anybody set up a business in this country right now?”
The appearance was particularly significant given Jeremy Clarkson’s ongoing criticisms of the Labour government’s inheritance tax changes for family farms. Through his public campaigning and commentary, he has become one of the most recognisable voices highlighting the threat that the so-called “Family Farm Tax” poses to farming families and the long-term future of British agriculture.
During the conference discussion, he again criticised the policy and argued that it made “perfect sense” for farms to be passed on to the next generation, describing how farming knowledge is built up over decades within families.
Commenting after her interview with Clarkson, Louth and Horncastle MP Victoria Atkins said: “Jeremy’s comments will resonate with many people across rural Lincolnshire because they reflect the reality facing farmers, family businesses and local entrepreneurs.
“He was absolutely right when he said that for farmers, ‘the attacks come from everywhere’. Whether it is soaring costs, economic uncertainty, labour shortages or Labour’s family farm tax, many farming families feel they are under pressure from all sides.
“Farmers are not simply producers of food. They are custodians of our countryside, vital contributors to local economies and the backbone of many rural communities.”
She said her party will continue to champion the people who create jobs, grow the economy and produce our food.
“We will continue to stand up for family farms, rural businesses and the communities that depend on them.”
The conference discussion highlighted growing concerns about the cumulative impact of taxation, rising costs and regulation on both farming and business, with Clarkson warning that conditions are becoming increasingly difficult for those trying to make a living in the countryside.
The Labour government says it is making the changes to close loopholes that allowed wealthy investors to use farmland to shelter significant assets from tax – and also to raise extra revenue to pay for public services.
