Newbury MP hosts farming conference

Newbury MP Lee Dillon has hosted a Farming Conference in Westminster, bringing together over 20 farmers from Newbury, West Berkshire, and beyond to raise serious concerns about the pressures facing family farms and rural businesses.

The event was attended by cross-party MPs and parliamentary staff, with representatives from the offices of Louise Gilmour, Jerome Mayhew, Victoria Atkins, Robbie Moore, Lizzie Collinge, John Whitby and others, demonstrating wide-reaching political support for farmers. Key topics included the Government’s proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR), Business Property Relief (BPR), and Inheritance Tax (IHT), which farmers warned could force family businesses to sell assets to cover the tax burden.

Devastating

Lee Dillon MP said: "Today’s session highlighted that this is about more than farming - it’s about protecting small businesses, jobs, and rural communities. The tax changes the Government proposes could have devastating unintended consequences for family-run farms and rural businesses."

The conference also addressed the rising mental health crisis in the farming community. One farmer bravely shared that he had attempted suicide twice due to the mounting pressures, warning that others could be at risk without more support.

"Hearing these stories first-hand was incredibly moving and really highlighted the impact these proposals are already having. We must do more to support the mental health of our farmers, and I will keep working to ensure these voices are heard in Westminster," Lee added.

The group will reconvene soon to discuss the next steps and ensure farmers remain at the centre of the conversation.

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