North Shropshire farmers meet with county MP to voice concerns over 'family farm tax'

North Shropshire MP, Helen Morgan spoke at a "packed" meeting in Hordley near Ellesmere on February 14.

Farmers from across her constituency attended to voice their concerns over the Government's changes to inheritance tax.

Mrs Morgan has claimed that nearly 300 farms within North Shropshire would be affected by what is being dubbed as the 'family farm tax', and has described it as an "anti-farming policy".

The treasury has said that 28 per cent of farms could be affected by the proposed changes, and with North Shropshire boasting more than 1,000 farms, covering more than 62,000 hectares, Mrs Morgan has claimed that - using this percentage - more than 288 farms will be affected in the region.

The Liberal Democrat MP spoke during a Westminster Hall debate on February 10 stating that North Shropshire is in the 'top 10' of constituencies in Britain for the number of people calling on the Government to 'scrap the family farm tax'. 

She revealed that more than 700 people from her constituency have signed a petition against the plans, which prompted the Parliamentary debate. 

Speaking to farmers last Friday, Mrs Morgan vowed that she will continue to fight against the plans.

A social media post by the MP said: "It was good to speak at a packed meeting of North Shropshire farmers determined to fight the Family Farm Tax in Hordley.

"Nearly 300 farms in our area alone will be impacted by Labour's changes. It's an anti-farming policy, and punishes the people who work so hard to produce British food.

"I will always stand up for our farmers and agricultural sector, which is the backbone of our rural economy."