Cheshire East Council is being urged to support 'disillusioned and desperate farmers' and fight the government's changes to inheritance tax.

From April next year, the government is set to impose an inheritance tax of 20 per cent on farms worth more than £1 million.

On Wednesday (December 11th), the day farmers from across the country drove their tractors through London for the second time in protest, the council was asked to oppose the changes to inheritance tax.

Richard Yarwood, whose family have farmed in Brereton for 100 years, owns 180 acres and rents some land.

He runs his dairy farm in partnership with his wife and son.

Mr Yarwood told the meeting of the full council at Jodrell Bank: "My son would be facing an estimated liability on more than £1 million of assets amounting to £200,000.

"The average dairy farm had an income of under £50,000 last year.

"We do have a viable business and regularly pay significant sums in income tax. Please support our campaign to reform the family farm tax."

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Alsager resident Sue Helliwell told councillors she had spoken to many young farmers in Cheshire who 'are so disillusioned and so desperate'.

"They might be asset rich, but they are cash poor," said Mrs Helliwell.

"It is time that Cheshire East took a stand and spoke up for our farmers, especially the many young farmers from Cheshire."

Both speakers were applauded by some councillors.

Wybunbury councillor Janet Clowes (Con), who turned up at the meeting in her wellies to show support for the farmers, had put forward a notice of motion calling on the council to oppose the Labour government's changes to inheritance tax affecting family farms.

That motion, as is normal council procedure, will be discussed at a future date by the relevant committee.