Minister ‘left with egg on his face’ for underestimating family farm tax impact, claim campaigners

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Agriculture minister Daniel Zeichner has been accused of having “egg on his face” after his latest attempt to justify the so-called “family farm tax” stirred up further anger on the issue. The Labour minister today addressed the Egg and Poultry Industry Conference in South Wales with anger growing over plans for a tax raid on family farms and claims that he and the government are underestimating its impact. Mr Zeichner told people at the conference: “The feedback I’ve been getting from some of my colleagues is that, when people have sat down and gone through the detail, they are then much more reassured.” He pointed to Treasury figures which show that there were just 462 claims for agricultural property relief last year, and that figure was expected to go down, suggesting the impact would be limited. These are the facts, and I think it is worth looking at them.” He added: “Inheritance tax is really complicated and no two situations are the same, but our genuine view is that it will not be affecting many people.” The defence was in line with statements government ministers have been giving since the row broke after Rachel Reeves’ shock Budget announcement.