Ministers face fierce backlash after halting applications for a major post-Brexit farming payment scheme, sparking accusations of “treating farmers with contempt”.
The decision to axe the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) just six weeks before farmers’ tax deadlines has been described as a “war on farmers”.
Farming Community Outraged as Labour Faces Backlash
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch launched a scathing attack on the Labour government, condemning the move as a direct assault on Britain’s rural economy. She stated:
“Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves do not care about rural communities. The Labour government treats farmers with contempt.”
This latest controversy follows Labour’s deeply unpopular decision to impose a 20% inheritance tax levy on farms worth £2 million or more, forcing many farming families to pay death duties for the first time.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) president, Tom Bradshaw, labelled the decision “another shattering blow”, warning that it could undermine confidence in British agriculture at a critical time.
Mass Protests and Further Action Loom
The Labour government is already grappling with widespread farmer protests, including a dramatic demonstration in which hundreds of tractors descended on Westminster.
The latest move threatens to escalate tensions further, with farming groups warning of more direct action in the coming weeks.
However, defending the government’s stance during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Sir Keir Starmer hit back at the Conservatives, pointing out that the Tories had also cancelled the scheme in 2022 and 2023 without prior warning. He stated:
“The SFI schemes have operated to give considerable support so far. There have been a number of schemes which were closed and replaced. We do support farmers, and we will be putting more details forward at the spending review.”
