Andrew has expressed his concern in the House of Commons at the Labour government’s death tax on farms and land-based businesses.
Andrew contended during the Budget debate on Wednesday (6 November):
“Given the raid on family farms, it is worth pointing out that the art of a good Budget and smart taxation is plucking the goose to get the maximum number of feathers with the minimum amount of hissing. On that basis, I am afraid this Budget fails lamentably, and it certainly does in my constituency.
“The Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Jonathan Reynolds), in his opening remarks, said that 500 farms a year will be affected by the Budget’s changes to agricultural property relief. He said it casually, as if it is acceptable. Well, that is approximately one for every constituency, and very much more in rural constituencies. The prospect of this affecting, and potentially closing, two farms a year in my constituency is, frankly, horrendous. I urge the Government to think again.”