Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, during a debate on the final stages of the Finance (No 2), she warned that the proposed measures risk placing significant pressure on farming families and rural businesses.

The MP said: “Farmers are the backbone of our economy and the people who work tirelessly to feed the nation. At a time of ongoing conflict around the globe, when the supply of daily living necessities like food and fuel are under threat, forcing prices to unprecedented heights, the government should be firmly focused on protecting the agri-food industry.

“Instead, its ill-thought-out policies are risking food security by jeopardising the long-term sustainability of family farms across the UK.”

“The Chancellor’s disastrous ‘death tax’ has left farmers and rural family businesses in limbo since the 2024 autumn budget,” explained the DUP’s Westminster Agriculture spokesperson.  

“Farmers are already in the midst of challenging times, due to weather and volatile farmgate prices. The government’s pending tax grab – due to kick-in on 6^th April – is creating fear and anxiety across our rural economy.”

The MP acknowledged that the government had partially increased the agricultural and business property relief threshold from £1 million to £2.5 million, but said the move would still leave many farms exposed.

She added: “Despite the pre-Christmas partial U-turn, thousands of small and medium-sized family farms will still be heavily impacted. In Northern Ireland, where the value of farmland is proportionately higher than anywhere else in the United Kingdom, DAERA estimates that 4,500 farms, mainly within the dairy sector, will still be affected.”

Ms Lockhart warned that the uncertainty surrounding the inheritance tax and business property relief changes has been discouraging investment within the agricultural sector.

“Families are delaying decisions about expanding their businesses, ordering agricultural machinery, improving farm infrastructure or investing in new technology. That hesitation ripples throughout the rural supply chain and has a real and immediate impact on the wider agricultural economy. Many businesses who rely on farmers for their ‘bread and butter’ trade are reporting a decline in turnover.



Ms Lockhart continues to raise concerns that Northern Ireland businesses already face significant daily challenges as a result of the Windsor Framework. She has warned that additional tax burdens could leave farmers and other family firms feeling further disadvantaged compared with businesses in Great Britain.