Finance (No. 2) Bill

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Tuesday 16th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

The Minister gave his estimate of the number of farms that would be affected by the new tax, which I am quite sure is an underestimate. Notwithstanding that, though, the chilling effect on agricultural investment has been felt across the entire sector as people seek to avoid their farm reaching the threshold for the new tax.

[Sir Mel Stride]

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. What businesses, including farms, need to succeed is lower taxes and not to be spending most of their time worrying about how they will cover the impact of future taxation. They need to be planning for the future of their businesses and investing in them.

--- Later in debate ---

[Sir Mel Stride]

My hon. Friend is right. I was out there this morning speaking to farmers, including a group up from Newbury, who have taken the trouble to come here to make exactly that case powerfully to us on the day of this debate.

[Sir Desmond Swayne]

Will my right hon. Friend give way before he moves on?

[Sir Mel Stride]

How could I resist my right hon. and gallant Friend?

[Sir Desmond Swayne]

This attack on investment extends well beyond agriculture and family farms; it is an attack on every family undertaking and every family business in the land. It is bonkers.