A call to delay the APR/BPR changes

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has today published a report which, whilst welcoming the Government's objective to reform APR “to close the loophole that encourages wealthy investors to buy agricultural land to avoid inheritance tax”, is critical that no:

• consultation 
• impact assessment; or
• affordability assessment 

was carried out before the budget announcement of the changes. 

It calls on the Government to delay finalising the changes until October 2026 and to delay their coming into effect until April 2027. This would “provide more time for farming businesses to conduct succession planning and seek appropriate professional advice”.

The BBC are reporting today that the Government has said in response that its inheritance tax reforms were "vital" and its commitment to farmers was "steadfast".

A majority of the 11 member committee are Labour MPs.

"critical that no consultation, impact assessment or affordability assessment was carried out before the budget"

https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/52/environment-food-and-rural-affairs-committee/publications/