David Chadwick Slams Minister for Pitting Farmers Against the NHS

• Today in Treasury Questions, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick repeated his call for the Labour Government to scrap the family farms tax and instead raise revenue from big banks, tech giants, and oil and gas companies.
• In response, the Treasury Minister tried to pit family farms against the NHS, a move the Liberal Democrats branded “despicable.”

David Chadwick, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, has again called on the Labour Government to drop its damaging changes to agricultural tax and inheritance rules, commonly known as the family farms tax.

Questioning James Murray, the newly appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Chadwick spoke about a meeting he had with Brecknockshire Young Farmers Clubs last week, where members said they wanted the Chancellor to explain why the Government is targeting family farms for tax rises, rather than going after the big banks, the tech barons, or the oil and gas giants.

Answering Chadwick, James Murray attempted to pit farmers against the NHS, implying there was only a choice between supporting public services and implementing the family farms tax. He then accused the Liberal Democrats of being “totally incapable of taking any of the difficult decisions to raise revenue,” despite both Chadwick and Lib Dem Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper having just highlighted fairer alternatives from big banks, tech, and oil and gas giants.

The Liberal Democrats have made clear their opposition to the family farms tax, highlighting the risk it poses to the rural economy and to food security. They have also repeatedly highlighted how the policy also poses a direct threat to the Welsh language. Some 43% of agricultural workers speak Welsh, significantly higher than the general population. Any policy that forces farmers out of business risks weakening the language’s use in rural communities.

Commenting after the exchange, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick said:

“I think it was really despicable for the Minister to try to pit our farmers against the NHS and the economy.

“Good quality food is essential for our nation's health, and family farms are the backbone of the rural economy in areas like mine. They not only contribute themselves but also support huge numbers of other industries, like the food and drink sector.

“The Liberal Democrats will continue to stand up for farmers and push Labour to scrap these damaging proposals before lasting harm is done to our communities.”

ENDS