Barnsley farmer took own life over inheritance tax, inquest told
A farmer took his own life the day before the government's Budget after weeks of worrying about looming changes to inheritance tax, an inquest has heard.John Charlesworth's son said he believed his father wanted to "beat" the government's proposals and "save the farm for future generations".Mr Charlesworth, 78, who went by his middle name Philip, was found dead by his son Jonathan Charlesworth, 47, in a barn on their farm in Silkstone, Barnsley, on October 29 last year.At Sheffield Coroner's Court on Thursday, coroner Tanyka Rawden recorded a verdict of suicide.
The inquest heard Mr Charlesworth had been struggling to care for his wife, who had severe dementia and cancer.The hearing was told that in the months before Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget he had been "growing more and more anxious about inheritance tax and the implications for the farm".
Jonathan Charlesworth told the hearing: "I think he was under stress looking after my mum but if it hadn't been for worries about inheritance tax he would still be here today."He wouldn't have put us all through that for any other reason."He thought he was doing it for the good. I don't agree with that, but he thought he was doing it for the greater good."There was a lack of information, it wasn't actually as bad as it could have been but we didn't know that."We couldn't find any information, we just knew it was coming, we didn't know how bad it was going to be."I think he woke up that morning and thought, 'I'm not risking it, I'm not risking losing everything I've worked for'."He said in the months before his father's death, "the only thing he talked about was inheritance tax"."I think he just wasn't going to let the government beat him, that was his final hurrah," he said.
The inquest heard that John Charlesworth had retired from the farm, which had been bought by his own father.His son was responsible for the day-to-day running while he cared for his wife, who died in February this year.The coroner was told he had no reported mental health issues but had been seen by a mental health team about support for his wife several days before he died.His daughter Verity Charlesworth, 45, said farming was a part of Mr Charlesworth's "life and identity", and that he was also a grandfather of six and a keen bell-ringer.Giving her conclusion, Mrs Rawden said: "He was worried about implications of new regulations around inheritance tax that would see the family lose 50% of the farm, taking his life the day before the changes were due to be announced."After the inquest, Jonathan Charlesworth said his father was a "typical Yorkshireman, typical farmer - tight with money but generous with time", adding: "He'd do anything for anybody."
Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
35 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Welsh railways to get £445m investment in spending review
Rachel Reeves is expected to announce the additional funding as part of her spending review, aiming to address what the Treasury sees as years of underinvestment in Welsh infrastructure. Understood to be a combination of direct funding and additional money for the Welsh government, the investment is expected to be spent on projects such as fixing level crossings, building new stations and upgrading railway lines. A Treasury source said: 'With this Government, Wales will thrive, and the Chancellor has prioritised bringing forward a package that has the potential to be truly transformative.' On Tuesday, Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan told members of the Senedd that her government was 'expecting something positive from the spending review'. She said: 'I've been clear and I've been consistent when it comes to rail funding that we have not been getting our fair share of funding, in a position that the Tories left us with for over a decade. 'The difference between the Tories and the UK Labour Government is that they've recognised that injustice.' Baroness Morgan's comments came in response to criticism from Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth of a decision to classify the £6.6 billion Oxford-to-Cambridge line as an England and Wales project. The designation means Wales will not receive the additional rail funding it would get if branded an England-only project. Mr ap Iorwerth said Wales had been 'getting our share until Labour actively moved the goalposts'. The expected announcement of additional funding for Welsh railways is one of several transport-related investments set to be confirmed on Wednesday. Ms Reeves has already announced plans to spend a total of £15.6 billion on public transport projects in England's city regions, and is understood to be preparing to extend the £3 cap on bus fares in England until March 2027.
South Wales Guardian
35 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
UK Government ‘betraying Wales' over rail funding, Plaid leader says
Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid, criticised the UK Labour Government for reclassifying the £6.6 billion Oxford to Cambridge line to an England and Wales project. The designation means Wales will not receive the additional rail funding it would get if branded an England-only project. Mr ap Iorwerth called on Eluned Morgan, the Welsh Labour First Minister, to condemn the reclassification. Baroness Morgan agreed Wales was not getting its fair share but said she was expecting to see positive changes in the UK Government's spending review on Wednesday. Mr ap Iorwerth's comments come following reports that revealed the project had originally been listed as England-only from 2020 to 2024. The Treasury told the BBC the classification was a 'publishing error' and insisted it was always considered an England and Wales development. Speaking First Minister's Questions in the Senedd on Tuesday, Mr ap Iorwerth said: 'We were getting our share until Labour actively moved the goalposts. 'Labour went out of its way to make sure Wales wouldn't get the money when the big spending really began.' He added: 'She should be joining me in condemning the UK Labour Government for betraying Wales. Will she?' Mr ap Iorwerth argued the reclassification was a 'new HS2 scandal' – a rail project that has been controversial in Wales. Despite none of the track being laid in the country, it was also designated an England and Wales project by the last UK Conservative government. Plaid has said this designation cost Wales £3.9 billion in funding. Responding to Mr Iorwerth, Baroness Morgan said: 'I've learned to expect nothing but constant negativity from the Plaid Cymru leader. 'I've been clear and I've been consistent when it comes to rail funding that we have not been getting our fair share of funding, in a position that the Tories left us with for over a decade. 'The difference between the Tories and the UK Labour Government is that they've recognised that injustice. 'I don't know what's going to be in the spending review, but the one thing I do know is that if Labour gave Wales a total land of milk and honey, Plaid Cymru would still find fault.' Baroness Morgan added they were 'expecting something positive from the spending review', but the Welsh government would have to keep on making the case for a fair share of funding. In January, the UK government admitted Welsh railways had been underfunded, with spending at 'low levels' in recent years. However, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander did not announce any additional funding at the time.
The Independent
37 minutes ago
- The Independent
Spending review latest: Reeves to announce £39bn affordable homes plan to ‘turn the tide on housing crisis'
The government will commit £39 billion over the next 10 years to fund affordable housing, in what it has billed as the biggest investment in a generation. As part of her spending review, chancellor Rachel Reeves will set out plans to almost double annual investment in affordable homes to £4 billion by 2029/30, compared to £2.3 billion a year between 2021 and 2026. The announcement is designed to help meet Labour's promise to build 1.5 million homes by the time of the next election. A government source said: 'We're turning the tide against the unacceptable housing crisis in this country with the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation.' The funding is expected to sit alongside previously announced plans, including £15.6 billion for transport upgrades in England 's city regions and £16.7 billion for new nuclear projects such as Sizewell C. The chancellor is also expected to announce big increases in spending on the NHS, defence and schools as part of a spending review set to include £113 billion of investment thanks to looser borrowing rules. Reeves to say spending review will reflect 'priorities of working people' Rachel Reeves will unveil her spending review on Wednesday, arguing that her priorities are "the priorities of working people". The chancellor is expected to focus on "Britain's renewal" as she sets out her spending plans for the coming years, with big increases for the NHS, defence and schools. Arguing that the government is "renewing Britain", she will acknowledge that "too many people in too many parts of the country are yet to feel it". She will say: "This government's task - my task - and the purpose of this spending review is to change that, to ensure that renewal is felt in people's everyday lives, their jobs, their communities." Among the main announcements is expected to be a £30 billion increase in NHS funding, a rise of around 2.8 per cent in real terms, along with an extra £4.5 billion for schools and a rise in defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP. Namita Singh11 June 2025 05:43 Government urged to disrupt 'addictive grip' of smartphones on children's life The government is being urged to create child-friendly playful neighbourhoods and disrupt the "addictive grip" of smartphones on children's lives. Closures of playgrounds, busier roads, shortened school break times and the dominance of screentime have restricted children's opportunities to play, a report has suggested. Urgent action is needed to create more opportunities for children to play outdoors and away from digital devices and social media, according to a report by the Raising the Nation Play Commission inquiry. It warned: "Too many of our children are spending their most precious years sedentary, doomscrolling on their phones and often alone, while their health and wellbeing deteriorates." Namita Singh11 June 2025 05:00 Key points announced ahead of Rachel Reeve's spending review Rachel Reeves will set out her spending plans for the coming years today as she unveils her spending review. The review, which will set out day-to-day spending plans for the next three years and capital spending plans for the next four, is expected to see boosts for the NHS, defence and schools. But it is also likely to involve squeezes for other departments as the Chancellor seeks to keep within the fiscal rules she has set for herself. Her room for manoeuvre has also been further constrained by the government's U-turn on winter fuel payments, which will see the benefit paid to pensioners receiving up to £35,000 per year at a cost of around £1.25 billion to the treasury. The full details will be revealed in the Commons on Wednesday, but several announcements have already been made. They include: - £15.6 billion for public transport projects in England's city regions; - £16.7 billion for nuclear power projects, including £14.2 billion for the new Sizewell C power plant in Suffolk; - £39 billion over the next 10 years to build affordable and social housing; - An extension of the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027; - £445 million for upgrades to Welsh railways. The chancellor is also expected to announce changes to the Treasury's "green book" rules that govern whether major projects are government hopes that changing the green book will make it easier to invest in areas outside London and the South East. Namita Singh11 June 2025 04:59 IFS warns of pressure on other departments as chancellor shields NHS, defence and schools Chancellor Rachel Reeves will outline tight spending controls for most departments in a move likely to fuel concern over real-terms cuts. While the NHS, education and defence are expected to see spending rises, other areas – including parts of the Home Office – are facing tighter budgets. Policing is reportedly in line for a funding boost, but this could come at the expense of cuts elsewhere in the department. Sources close to London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan have voiced concerns that the capital is being overlooked in the review. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned that raising NHS funding by more than 2.5 per cent could lead to further tax rises or cuts elsewhere in the autumn budget. Despite the pressure, Ms Reeves will defend her choices, saying: 'I have made my choices. In place of chaos, I choose stability. In place of decline, I choose investment. In place of retreat, I choose national renewal.' Labour's fiscal rules remain in place, including its manifesto pledge not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT. Jabed Ahmed11 June 2025 04:50 Chancellor to unveil £113bn investment plan targeting NHS, defence and schools Rachel Reeves will unveil her long-awaited spending review on Wednesday, pledging to 'invest in Britain's renewal' through £113 billion of funding made possible by looser borrowing rules. The chancellor is expected to outline major increases in public spending on the NHS, defence and education, arguing that the new investment is only possible because of the 'stability' she introduced after the autumn budget. 'The priorities in this spending review are the priorities of working people,' Ms Reeves will say. 'To invest in our country's security, health and economy so working people all over our country are better off.' She will also announce reforms to the Treasury's so-called 'green book' – the rules that determine which areas receive public investment – in a bid to shift funding away from London and the South East and drive growth in other parts of the UK. Jabed Ahmed11 June 2025 04:40 What is Rachel Reeves' spending review and what might the chancellor announce? Rachel Reeves will today make one of her biggest statements to MPs since Labour's general election victory. The chancellor will unveil the results of her line by line spending review, setting out the budgets of government departments until the end of the decade. The review will be the first conducted by a Labour government since Alistair Darling and Gordon Brown's comprehensive spending review in 2007. And it will see Ms Reeves walk the tightrope between delivering on the party's election promises while seeking to squeeze within her self-imposed fiscal rules. Our political correspondents Archie Mitchell and Millie Cooke have more details on what to expect here: What is the spending review? Everything Reeves could announce to fix UK economy The Independent looks at what the spending review is, why the government has launched one and what is expected to be in it Andy Gregory11 June 2025 04:30 Spending review to include decade-long plan to deliver 1.5 million new homes The government will commit £39 billion over the next 10 years to fund affordable housing, in what it has billed as the biggest investment in a generation. As part of her spending review, chancellor Rachel Reeves will set out plans to almost double annual investment in affordable homes to £4 billion by 2029/30, compared to £2.3 billion a year between 2021 and 2026. The announcement is designed to help meet Labour's promise to build 1.5 million homes by the time of the next election. A government source said: 'We're turning the tide against the unacceptable housing crisis in this country with the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation.' The funding is expected to sit alongside previously announced plans, including £15.6 billion for transport upgrades in England's city regions and £16.7 billion for new nuclear projects such as Sizewell C. Jabed Ahmed11 June 2025 04:20 United Nations experts call for Starmer's Chagos deal to be suspended Keir Starmer is facing humiliation on the international stage after experts at the United Nations called for his controversial deal with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands to be suspended. UN special rapporteurs criticised the agreement – which hands back sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius and leases back the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia for £101m per year for 99 years – for failing to protect the rights of Chagossians. Our political editor David Maddox reports: United Nations experts call for Starmer's Chagos deal to be suspended The Chagos deal with Mauritius fails to guarantee rights of Chagossans, UN experts say Andy Gregory11 June 2025 04:10 Planning reforms 'critical' to 1.5m homes pledge delivery clear Commons Flagship planning reforms which are "critical" to the delivery of Labour's pledge to build 1.5 million homes have cleared the Commons. MPs voted by 306 to 174, majority 132, to approve the Planning and Infrastructure Bill at third reading on Tuesday evening. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the Bill, which aims to improve certainty and decision-making in the planning system, will help to tackle the UK's housing crisis. Rhiannon James reports: Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the Bill will help to tackle the UK's housing crisis. Andy Gregory11 June 2025 04:00 Tories also considered sanctioning Israeli ministers, says Dame Priti Patel The last Conservative government also considered sanctioning Israeli ministers over the war in Gaza, Dame Priti Patel has said, after the UK government announced travel bans and asset freezes for two far-right members of Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition. Speaking in the Commons, the shadow foreign secretary said: 'The situation in the Middle East and the suffering we are seeing is serious and completely intolerable. 'We continue to see violence, deaths and casualties, and near aid distribution centres, which is simply incomprehensible and that should simply never happen.' Dame Priti added: 'The minister will be aware that the sanctioning of individuals is always under review, that is the right policy. And in the case of Israel, this has been previously considered even by Lord Cameron, who has spoken of that in the last government.' Andy Gregory
