Future of small farms and family businesses on Lords agenda

Debate

The Earl of Leicester (Conservative), director of the Holkham Farming Company, put forward the debate.

This was a general debate. During debates, members put their experience to good use to discuss current issues and draw the government's attention to concerns.

Members speaking

Members speaking in the debate included:

• Lord Cameron of Dillington (Crossbench), president of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers
• Lord Curry of Kirkharle (Crossbench), director of Farming and Food Futures Limited
• Lord Roborough (Conservative), shadow minister for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

Opening the debate, the Earl of Leicester said:

'[Agricultual Property Relief and Business Property Relief] are not tax loopholes; they are enablers of successful tax-paying businesses that take multiple generations to achieve the ability to operate in a highly competitive, difficult and volatile market.'

Lord Livermore (Labour), Financial Secretary to the Treasury, responded on behalf of the government:

'We have taken this decision in a way which makes the tax system fairer and more sustainable, and it is set against the backdrop of significant new investment for farming as well as support for small businesses.'

Catch up

Watch and read the debate  

Watch on Parliament TV or read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Explore background information  

Find out more about the issues the debate covers in the  House of Lords Library briefing.

Learn more about how the House of Lords checks and challenges government.

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