Concerns over suicide risk in farmers as inheritance tax looms

Yahoo

17 hours ago

A HEREFORDSHIRE charity has spoken out over the impact of the looming inheritance tax changes on farmers' mental health.
We Are Farming Minds, a local charity which focuses on supporting farmers and raising awareness of mental health within Herefordshire's rural community, has reminded the community that it is there to support them in "difficult times".
Project manager Emily Jones told the Hereford Times: "Farmers are facing really difficult times and government legislation is part of this.
"We would like to highlight we are here for the farming community. We offer free counselling and have a 24/7 confidential support line 0808 802 0070. If you need to talk, please contact us. We are here to support you."
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The charity's comment comes after Lord Sharpe of Epsom called the introduction of inheritance tax changes a "disastrous policy" in the House of Lords.
He said: "I must highlight a concern that has been brought to light by recent tragic events, and that is the case of a farmer who took his own life just before the government's budget, which is a heartbreaking example of the immense pressures our rural communities face.
"These pressures are exacerbated by the looming inheritance tax changes that threaten the very future of family farms."
The Tory shadow business minister added: "Despite the seriousness of this issue, the official statistics on farmer, landowner and family business owner suicides are woefully inadequate.
"There is a significant delay, often of years, before accurate data is published. That is simply unacceptable.
"Without timely, detailed data, broken down by occupation, policymakers cannot fully understand the human cost.
"Would the minister acknowledge the urgent need for this and commit to working with the Office for National Statistics and other relevant bodies to improve the frequency and detail of data by occupation, particularly for farmers and rural workers, so we can properly address and understand this crisis?"
This criticism was in response to the tragic death of a farmer from South Yorkshire who killed himself the day before the budget, after weeks of worrying about inheritance tax.
John Charlesworth's son recently told an inquest he believed his father wanted to "beat" the government proposals and "save the farm for future generations".