Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds was confronted with the stark reality that many rural communities feel overlooked by the government during a major conference in Westminster.
A Clash of Visions at the Rural Conference
The confrontation occurred on Thursday, 20 November 2024, at the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) Rural Business Conference. While Ms Reynolds used her speech to outline a positive vision for the countryside, the new CLA president, Gavin Lane, launched a forceful attack on Labour's economic policies, creating a tense atmosphere.
The Environment Secretary, who took on the role in September, sought to highlight work the Government is doing to drive growth. She announced several new policies, including a 'rural taskforce' that will publish 50 actions to support rural businesses early next year. Other measures aim to make it easier to build reservoirs on farms and develop a new rural and wildlife crime strategy.
"This Government sees the rural economy as absolutely fundamental to our growth mission," Ms Reynolds stated. "When rural economies succeed, the whole country succeeds."
The Inheritance Tax Flashpoint
However, her message was overshadowed by deep-seated anger over Chancellor Rachel Reeves' plans to change inheritance tax rules. The proposal to introduce a 20% rate on assets worth more than £1 million has become a major political flashpoint for an industry already grappling with rising costs and climate impacts.
During a Q&A session, Mr Lane told the minister that the rural economy faces a critical lack of investment and planning certainty. He expressed the widespread sentiment that people in the countryside feel forgotten about or not listened to by the Government.
In response, Ms Reynolds said, "Well I’m sorry if that’s the way you feel," adding that she is "optimistic about the future." She emphasised a desire for partnership, stating, "Of course we’ll have difficult discussions about things we don’t agree on always but we want to set out that positive vision with you together."
Rural sectors are campaigning fiercely against the inheritance tax changes, due in April 2026. They argue cash-poor farmers could be forced to sell their land, investment will stall, and families without clear succession plans will be worst affected. Despite reports the policy might be softened in the upcoming Budget, Mr Lane told reporters, "Everything we’ve been told has been that the door is shut now."
Focusing on the Future Amidst Disagreement
In his speech, Mr Lane argued the government displayed "short-sightedness," treating inter-generational asset transfer as a problem rather than the foundation of sustainable investment. He delivered a powerful analogy: "You can’t ask people to pay to plant an orchard they’ll never see grow, then tell them their kids aren’t allowed to pick the fruit."
When pressed on the inheritance tax issue, Ms Reynolds acknowledged the "huge concerns" but repeatedly steered the conversation towards future initiatives. She highlighted an upcoming review into farming profitability, a 25-year farming road map, a land use framework, and the redesigned sustainable farming incentive (SFI) subsidy scheme.
"Let me be clear about what we’re building together, a rural economy that thrives with sustainable, profitable farm businesses that can plan for the long term," she concluded, aiming to build the confidence that rural leaders insist is currently lacking.
