James Saunders
Guest Reporter
Farmers have voiced their fury after Environment Secretary Steve Reed claimed they were "in it for the money" in the Commons.
As he fielded questions on Labour's family farm tax raids, Reed told MPs: "The Shadow Secretary of State, as well as the former Prime Minister, keep telling farmers they’re not in it for the money.
"We know that they are."
"They're businesses that need to make a profit, and our new deal for farmers, including increasing supply chain fairness, is intended to make farms profitable and successful for the future, in a way that they were not under the previous Government," he added.
Colin Rayner, a farmer from Berkshire, told GB News that, while he "wasn't shocked" by what Reed said, Labour "should not test our resolve".
"I'm not shocked by the statement of a Labour minister," Rayner said. "I hope one day that minister does not go hungry when the farmers decide to stop supplying, as they're losing money.
"These statements inflame an already volatile situation on farms. Farmers were hoping, by persuasion and negotiations, to change some of the specifics of the Chancellor's Budget.
"This looks like they want confrontation with the farmers - and want to ramp it up."
Directly hitting out at Reed's claim that farmers were "in it for the money", Rayner said: "We are gentlemen first, and farmers second. Please do not test our resolve."
READ MORE ON BRITISH FARMERS:
And in an ominous warning to Labour, he added: "My family farm has survived the First and Second World Wars, with many members of the family and farm staff dying for Great Britain.
"We fed the nation during Covid, and put our families at risk by going to work.
"We will survive this Labour Government and make sure they never come back into Government ever again.
"We need some time to think... When the politicians are enjoying their Christmas dinner, we will be working, feeding our animals, and protecting our crops.
"The man should be ashamed of himself."
Liz Webster, founder of Save British Farming - who organised December 11's protests in Westminster, laid into the Environment Secretary for his "disrespect".
She told GB News: "He is showing total disrespect for the farming community and our country's food security by grandstanding in yet another parliamentary Punch and Judy show to attempt to add fuel to the culture war this Government created with the IHT debacle.
"Time and time again, experts from across the spectrum, including Labour member Dan Niedle, have conceded that the Treasury figures are totally wrong - but Steve Reed is wedded to defending them and therefore proving he cannot be trusted."
A government spokesperson said: "Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast – we have committed £5 billion to the farming budget over two years, including more money than ever for sustainable food production, and we are developing a 25-year farming roadmap, focusing on how to make the sector more profitable in the decades to come.
"Our reform to Agricultural and Business Property Relief will impact around 500 estates a year. For these estates, inheritance tax will be at half the rate paid by others, with 10 years to pay the liability back interest free. This is a fair and balanced approach which fixes the public services we all rely on."
Find Out More...
As he fielded questions on Labour's family farm tax raids, Reed told MPs: "The Shadow Secretary of State, as well as the former Prime Minister, keep telling farmers they’re not in it for the money.
"We know that they are."
"They're businesses that need to make a profit, and our new deal for farmers, including increasing supply chain fairness, is intended to make farms profitable and successful for the future, in a way that they were not under the previous Government," he added.
Colin Rayner, a farmer from Berkshire, told GB News that, while he "wasn't shocked" by what Reed said, Labour "should not test our resolve".
"I'm not shocked by the statement of a Labour minister," Rayner said. "I hope one day that minister does not go hungry when the farmers decide to stop supplying, as they're losing money.
"These statements inflame an already volatile situation on farms. Farmers were hoping, by persuasion and negotiations, to change some of the specifics of the Chancellor's Budget.
"This looks like they want confrontation with the farmers - and want to ramp it up."
Directly hitting out at Reed's claim that farmers were "in it for the money", Rayner said: "We are gentlemen first, and farmers second. Please do not test our resolve."
READ MORE ON BRITISH FARMERS:
- As a farmer, let me explain why we are DOOMED as a country if we don't change course - James Wright
- Kaleb Cooper sends clear message amid farmers' protests in London as Clarkson's Farm star offers show of solidarity
- 'Like petulant toddlers!' Labour lambasted by farmer for 'digging heels in' on inheritance tax raid
And in an ominous warning to Labour, he added: "My family farm has survived the First and Second World Wars, with many members of the family and farm staff dying for Great Britain.
"We fed the nation during Covid, and put our families at risk by going to work.
"We will survive this Labour Government and make sure they never come back into Government ever again.
"We need some time to think... When the politicians are enjoying their Christmas dinner, we will be working, feeding our animals, and protecting our crops.
"The man should be ashamed of himself."
Liz Webster, founder of Save British Farming - who organised December 11's protests in Westminster, laid into the Environment Secretary for his "disrespect".
She told GB News: "He is showing total disrespect for the farming community and our country's food security by grandstanding in yet another parliamentary Punch and Judy show to attempt to add fuel to the culture war this Government created with the IHT debacle.
"Time and time again, experts from across the spectrum, including Labour member Dan Niedle, have conceded that the Treasury figures are totally wrong - but Steve Reed is wedded to defending them and therefore proving he cannot be trusted."
A government spokesperson said: "Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast – we have committed £5 billion to the farming budget over two years, including more money than ever for sustainable food production, and we are developing a 25-year farming roadmap, focusing on how to make the sector more profitable in the decades to come.
"Our reform to Agricultural and Business Property Relief will impact around 500 estates a year. For these estates, inheritance tax will be at half the rate paid by others, with 10 years to pay the liability back interest free. This is a fair and balanced approach which fixes the public services we all rely on."
Find Out More...